Life sciences · Reference
What is a mutation?
A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of an organism — from a single altered base to larger rearrangements — that creates new genetic variation and can be passed on when cells or organisms reproduce.
What a mutation is
A mutation is any change to the sequence of A, T, G, and C in DNA. Mutations arise from errors during DNA replication, from chemical damage, or from environmental agents such as radiation and certain chemicals. Whether a mutation has any effect depends on where it falls: a change within a gene may alter the protein it encodes, while a change in non-coding DNA may have no effect at all. Mutations create the new alleles on which variation and evolution depend.
Types of mutation
Mutations come in several forms. A point mutation changes a single base — for example, substituting one base for another. An insertion adds one or more bases, and a deletion removes them.
Insertions and deletions within a gene can shift the reading frame in which codons are read, often changing every amino acid downstream. Larger-scale mutations can duplicate, delete, invert, or move whole segments of a chromosome.
Significance in research
Mutations are the raw material of evolution by natural selection and a central topic in genetics and genomics. Researchers study how mutations arise, how cells repair them, and how particular changes affect gene function. Comparing patterns of mutation across genomes reveals evolutionary history. This page describes the biology of mutation and does not provide medical advice.
Key facts
At a glance
- Definition: a change in the DNA sequence
- Point mutation: a change to a single base
- Insertion / deletion: bases added or removed
- Frameshift: an insertion or deletion that shifts the reading frame
- Effects: can be neutral, harmful, or beneficial
- Inherited only if: the mutation is in reproductive cells
Common questions
FAQ
What is a mutation?+
A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence. It can be as small as a single altered base or as large as a rearranged chromosome segment. Mutations are the source of new genetic variation among organisms.
What are the main types of mutation?+
Common types include point mutations, where a single base is changed, and insertions or deletions, where bases are added or removed. Larger mutations can duplicate, delete, or rearrange whole sections of a chromosome.
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