Mutations
Mutations
7. Lesson Summary
Lesson Summary
- Mutations are caused by environmental factors known as mutagens. Types of mutagens include radiation, chemicals, and infectious agents.
- Germline mutations occur in gametes.
- Somatic mutations occur in other body cells.
- Chromosomal alterations are mutations that change chromosome structure.
- Point mutations change a single nucleotide.
- Frameshift mutations are additions or deletions of nucleotides that cause a shift in the reading frame.
- Mutations are essential for evolution to occur because they increase genetic variation and the potential for individuals to differ.
- The majority of mutations are neutral in their effects on the organisms in which they occur.
- Beneficial mutations may become more common through natural selection.
- Harmful mutations may cause genetic disorders or cancer.
CK-12 Foundation, Biology. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/