HETEROZYGOUS MUTATION Meaning and
Definition
-
Heterozygous mutation refers to a genetic condition in which an individual possesses two different versions (alleles) of a particular gene. In this case, one allele is mutated, or altered, while the other allele remains normal or unchanged. This type of mutation is characterized by the presence of both the normal and mutated alleles in the genome of an organism.
Heterozygous mutations occur during the process of genetic inheritance, where an individual receives one copy of a gene from each parent. If one copy is mutated and the other remains unaffected, the individual is said to be heterozygous for that mutation.
While the unaffected allele can usually compensate for the defective allele, heterozygous mutations often result in altered or reduced functioning of the gene. Depending on the specific mutation, this can lead to a wide range of effects, including increased susceptibility to diseases, physiological abnormalities, or modified traits.
Heterozygous mutations are generally inherited in an autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive pattern. In autosomal dominant inheritance, a single copy of the mutated allele is sufficient to cause the expression of the trait. In autosomal recessive inheritance, both copies of the gene must be mutated for the trait to manifest. However, heterozygous carriers of recessive mutations often do not exhibit any symptoms themselves, as the normal allele compensates for the mutation's effects.
Understanding heterozygous mutations is crucial in the field of genetics, as they play a significant role in the occurrence and transmission of genetic disorders.
Common Misspellings for HETEROZYGOUS MUTATION
- geterozygous mutation
- beterozygous mutation
- neterozygous mutation
- jeterozygous mutation
- ueterozygous mutation
- yeterozygous mutation
- hwterozygous mutation
- hsterozygous mutation
- hdterozygous mutation
- hrterozygous mutation
- h4terozygous mutation
- h3terozygous mutation
- hererozygous mutation
- heferozygous mutation
- hegerozygous mutation
- heyerozygous mutation
- he6erozygous mutation
- he5erozygous mutation
- hetwrozygous mutation
- hetsrozygous mutation
Etymology of HETEROZYGOUS MUTATION
The etymology of the word "heterozygous" can be traced back to the Greek roots "hetero" meaning "different" or "other", and "zygous" meaning "paired" or "joined". The term was coined by the early geneticist William Bateson in the early 20th century to describe an individual organism that carries two different alleles (alternative forms of a gene) for a particular trait.
The word "mutation" has Latin origins, derived from the Latin word "mutare" meaning "to change". It refers to any change, alteration, or variation that occurs in the DNA sequence of a gene or a chromosome.
Therefore, the term "heterozygous mutation" implies a change or alteration in the genetic makeup of an organism that occurs specifically on one of the two homologous chromosomes, resulting in the presence of two different alleles for a particular gene.
