Mutation and Biodiversity

Mutation

A permanent change in the DNA sequence.

Biodiversity

The variety of living organisms in an area.

Gene Mutation

A change in the nucleotide sequence of a gene.

Genetic Diversity

The variety of genes within a species.

Substitution Mutation

One nucleotide is replaced by another.

Species Diversity

The variety of different species in an ecosystem.

Insertion Mutation

One or more nucleotides are added to the DNA sequence.

High Biodiversity

An ecosystem with many different species, making it more stable and resilient.

Deletion Mutation

One or more nucleotides are removed from the DNA sequence.

Ecosystem Diversity

The variety of habitats, ecosystems, and ecological processes.

Frameshift Mutation

A mutation caused by insertion or deletion that changes the reading frame of DNA.

Low Biodiversity

An ecosystem with few species, making it less stable and more vulnerable to change.

Point Mutation

A mutation that affects a single nucleotide.

Ecosystem Resilience

The ability of an ecosystem to recover after disturbances like drought, disease, or storms.

Mutagen

An agent that causes mutations, such as radiation, UV rays, chemicals, or some viruses.

Producer

An organism that makes its own food through photosynthesis (e.g., plants).

Chromosomal Mutation

A change in the structure of a chromosome.

Consumer

An organism that obtains energy by eating other organisms.

Deletion (Chromosomal)

A part of a chromosome is lost.

Decomposer

An organism that breaks down dead organisms and recycles nutrients.

Duplication

A chromosome segment is copied, resulting in extra genetic material.

Why is Biodiversity Important?

It helps ecosystems remain balanced, stable, and able to recover from environmental changes.

Inversion

A chromosome segment breaks off, flips, and reattaches in reverse order.

Threats to Biodiversity

Habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, invasive species, and overexploitation.

Translocation

A chromosome segment moves to a different chromosome.

Species Extinction

The complete disappearance of a species.

Effects of Mutation

Mutations can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral.

Advantage of High Biodiversity

It helps ecosystems survive food shortages, disease outbreaks, and climate change because different species can perform similar ecological roles.