Mutations

Mutation

refers to a change from the normal or expected gene. It can result in a change in phenotype, but not all mutations do.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics or traits of an organism, which can be influenced by mutations.

Beneficial Mutation

A mutation that provides an advantage to an organism in its environment.

Detrimental Mutation

A mutation that causes harm or disadvantage to an organism.

Neutral Mutation

A mutation that does not affect an individual's ability to survive.

Whole Chromosome Mutation

A type of mutation that involves changes in entire chromosomes.

Nondisjunction

A whole chromosome mutation where chromosomes fail to separate during meiosis, specifically the second meiotic division.

Deletion

A whole chromosome mutation where a sperm or egg cell is missing an entire chromosome, often resulting in severe consequences and usually fatal.

Translocation

A whole chromosome mutation where a piece of a non-homologous chromosome is transferred to another chromosome, causing them to become stuck together during meiosis.

Insertion

A whole chromosome mutation where a piece of one chromosome is inserted into a non-homologous chromosome.

Nucleotide Mutations

Mutations that involve changes in individual nucleotides, which can have significant effects on phenotype.

Point Mutation

A nucleotide mutation that usually changes only one amino acid, resulting in genetic diversity.

Substitutions

A type of point mutation where one nucleotide is replaced by another.

Frameshift Mutation

A nucleotide mutation that involves the insertion or deletion of a single nucleotide, causing a shift in the reading frame and altering every amino acid after the mutation is read.