A genetic mutation is a permanent change in the genetic makeup of an organism. Mutation can be a change that occurs in the DNA sequence, either due to mistakes when the DNA is copied or as the result of certain environmental factors.
Mutations can occur during DNA replication if errors are made and not corrected in time. It can also occur as the result of exposure to environmental factors such as smoking, sunlight and radiation. The change of sequence in the gene of an organism can result to changes in the amino acid sequence, which are made into proteins. Mutation also contributes to genetic variation within species because they are inheritable. However, mutation can also disrupt normal gene activity and cause diseases, like cancer. |
There are two types of genetic mutation.
Gene mutation occurs when there is a permanent change in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene. On the other hand, chromosomal mutation happens when there is a change in the DNA structure, chromosome number or chromosome set of an organism. |