Mutation Basics & Types
These are defined as heritable changes in genetic information.
Mutations
In this specific type of point mutation, one base is changed to a different base
Substitution
These three outcomes describe the impact mutations can have on an organism
Harming, helping, or having no effect
Mutations fall into these two basic, broad categories.
Gene mutations and chromosomal mutations
This type of mutation occurs when a single extra base is added into the genetic code.
Insertion mutation
This term describes the chemical or physical agents in the environment from which some mutations arise.
Mutagens
This specific category of mutation is defined as a change in a single nucleotide
Point mutation
This type of point mutation happens when a single base is removed from the genetic code.
Deletion mutation
Some of the most harmful mutations are those that dramatically change these two specific things.
Protein structure or gene activity
Point mutations are divided into this exact number of types
Three
Deletion, duplication, inversion, and translocation are the four types of this category of mutation.
Chromosomal mutations
This specific condition is an example of a harmful mutation that affects the shape of red blood cells
Sickle cell disease
Beneficial mutations often produce proteins with new or altered functions that can be useful to organisms in these kinds of environments.
Different or changing environments