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10.11: Introduction to DNA Mutations

  • Page ID
    44433
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    What you’ll learn to do: Recognize the impact of DNA mutations

    A mutation is a permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene; that is, the sequence differs from what is found in most people. Mutations range in size; they can affect anywhere from a single DNA building block (base pair) to a large segment of a chromosome that includes multiple genes. Gene mutations can be classified in two major ways:

    • Hereditary mutations are inherited from a parent and are present throughout a person’s life in virtually every cell in the body.
    • Acquired (or somatic) mutations occur at some time during a person’s life and are present only in certain cells, not in every cell in the body.

    Mutations can impact an organism in both negative and positive ways—and sometimes a genetic mutation doesn’t impact the organism at all!

    Contributors and Attributions

    CC licensed content, Original
    • Introduction to DNA Mutations. Authored by: Shelli Carter and Lumen Learning. Provided by: Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution
    Public domain content

    10.11: Introduction to DNA Mutations is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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