Mutation Definition
A mutation is a change in an organism's genetic material (DNA). For example, brittle bone disease is caused by a genetic mutation.
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Genes & Mutations
Fun Facts
- A mouse that inherits a gene with a mutation may not grow any hair.
- Sun exposure without sunscreen can cause a mutation leading to skin cancer.
- Mutations are not always harmful, they are just changes in an organism's genetic material.
Why Do We Need To Know About Mutation
Learning about mutations helps us know how they help solve crimes and fight off diseases. In forensic science, which is like detective work for science, tiny changes in DNA help identify who may have committed a crime. This is because everyone’s DNA has small differences, and these can point to a specific person.
In medicine, especially when dealing with viruses, knowing about these tiny changes is key to making medicines and stopping diseases from spreading. Most of the time, mutations don’t do much, but sometimes they can make a virus more dangerous. By studying these changes, scientists can figure out how to fight the virus. Studying mutations has very important uses in real life, from keeping us safe from criminals to fighting diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out the Full Lesson on Genes & Mutations
In this lesson, we learn that:
- Living things have traits based on their genes.
- Genes code for proteins that have specific structures and functions.
- Mutations in genes can be beneficial, harmful or have no effect.
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