Gene mutation

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Gene Mutation

A Gene Mutation (/dʒiːn mjuːˈteɪʃən/) is a permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene, such that the sequence differs from what is found in most people.

Etymology

The term "Gene Mutation" is derived from the Latin word 'mutatio', meaning 'a changing', and the Greek word 'genea', meaning 'generation' or 'race'.

Definition

Gene mutations can be classified in two major ways:

  • Hereditary mutations, also known as germline mutations, are inherited from a parent and are present throughout a person’s life in virtually every cell in the body.
  • Acquired (or somatic) mutations occur at some time during a person’s life and are present only in certain cells, not in every cell in the body. These changes can be caused by environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation from the sun, or can occur if a mistake is made as DNA copies itself during cell division.

Related Terms

  • DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid, a self-replicating material which is present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information.
  • Chromosome: A thread-like structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.
  • Cell Division: The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells.
  • Germline Mutation: A type of gene mutation that occurs in the germ cells and can be passed on to offspring.

See Also

External links

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