Mutations and Genetic Variation

Mutation

A change in the sequence of DNA.

Beneficial mutation

A mutation that provides an advantage to the organism, leading to increased prevalence of the characteristic over time.

Harmful mutation

A mutation that causes stress to the individual and does not increase in number.

Neutral mutation

A mutation that has no effect on the success of the organism.

Point Mutation

A mutation that occurs at a specific base pair, potentially changing the code for an amino acid.

Silent Mutation

A type of point mutation that does not change the amino acid code.

Frameshift Mutation

A mutation caused by the insertion or deletion of a nucleotide, altering the codon sequence.

Consequences of Frameshift Mutation

All codons at the site of addition or deletion and subsequent codons will be altered, resulting in an incorrect protein being produced.