Watch the following video to learn more about mutations and the causes of them.The sequence of bases in DNA are like the letters of a coded message. So what would happen if those letters changed accidently, altering the message? Could the cell still understand its meaning? For example, let’s say you needed to call someone about a job and the phone number was 678-3245 but you were given the message to call 768-3254. You did not receive the correct message and would more than likely not be able to reach the person you intended!
Now and then cells make mistakes in copying their own DNA, inserting the wrong base or even skipping a base as a strand is put together. These variations are called mutations.
Many mutations are produced by errors in the genetic processes such as DNA replication. Some mutations arise from mutagens, chemicals or physical agents in the environment.
Watch the following video to learn more about mutations and the causes of them.
Source: Gene Mutations, CancerQuest, YouTube
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There are two basic categories of mutations, gene mutations and chromosomal mutations. Gene mutations are mutations that produce changes in a single gene while chromosomal mutations produce changes in the whole chromosome. In the next sections we will learn more about these. If a mutation happens in a body cell, such as a skin cell, only the person with the mutation is affected. However, if the mutation takes place during meiosis and occurs in a gamete or sex cell, the mutation can be passed on to offspring.