Chromosomal duplication

Chromosomal duplication is a phenomenon in genetics where a segment of a chromosome is duplicated and the extra segment is usually present on the same chromosome. This process is a type of genetic mutation and can lead to large-scale changes in the genome, which can have significant effects on the organism's phenotype.

Overview

Chromosomal duplication occurs when a segment of a chromosome is copied and inserted back into the chromosome. This can occur as a result of errors during DNA replication or through the process of unequal crossing over during meiosis. The duplicated segment can be a few base pairs to an entire chromosome arm in length.

Effects

The effects of chromosomal duplication can vary widely, depending on the size and location of the duplication. Small duplications may have little to no effect on the organism's phenotype, while larger duplications can have significant effects. For example, duplications of certain genes can lead to overexpression of those genes, which can result in diseases such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease.

Role in Evolution

Chromosomal duplication plays a significant role in evolution. Duplicated genes can undergo divergent evolution, leading to the creation of new genes and functions. This can increase the genetic diversity of a population and drive evolutionary change.

See Also

• Genetic mutation
• DNA replication
• Meiosis
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
• Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease