GENE MUTATION Meaning and
Definition
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Gene mutation refers to a permanent alteration or change that occurs in the DNA sequence of a gene. Genes are segments of DNA that provide instructions for the production of proteins, which are essential for the structure and function of cells in living organisms. Mutations can occur spontaneously during DNA replication or due to external factors such as exposure to certain chemicals, radiation, or genetic defects.
Gene mutations can take various forms, including substitutions, deletions, insertions, or duplications of nucleotides in the DNA sequence. Substitutions involve the replacement of one nucleotide with another, while deletions, insertions, and duplications result in the removal, addition, or duplication of nucleotides. These alterations can disrupt the normal functioning of the gene and consequently affect the production of proteins.
Gene mutations can have different effects on an organism, depending on the specific gene involved and the nature of the mutation. Some mutations may have no noticeable effect, while others can cause significant changes in the organism's traits or increase the risk of certain genetic disorders. Certain gene mutations can be passed on from one generation to the next, leading to hereditary conditions.
Understanding and studying gene mutations is crucial in the field of genetics and biology as they contribute to the variability of traits within a population and play a role in evolution. Additionally, gene mutations can be harnessed in biotechnology to produce desired traits in crops, animals, or in gene therapy to treat certain genetic disorders.
Common Misspellings for GENE MUTATION
- fene mutation
- vene mutation
- bene mutation
- hene mutation
- yene mutation
- tene mutation
- gwne mutation
- gsne mutation
- gdne mutation
- grne mutation
- g4ne mutation
- g3ne mutation
- gebe mutation
- geme mutation
- geje mutation
- gehe mutation
- genw mutation
- gens mutation
- gend mutation
Etymology of GENE MUTATION
The word "gene" is derived from the Greek word "genos", meaning "race", "offspring", or "kind". This term was initially introduced by Danish botanist Augutinian monk Gregor Mendel in the mid-19th century to describe the basic unit of heredity.
The word "mutation", on the other hand, comes from the Latin word "mutare", meaning "to change" or "alter". It was first used in the late 14th century and later adopted in biology to refer to any permanent change in the genetic material (DNA) of an organism that can be passed on to future generations.
When combined, the terms "gene" and "mutation" create "gene mutation", describing a change or alteration in the DNA sequence of a gene. This change can lead to variations in the genetic information, potentially resulting in different traits or characteristics in an organism.
