Deleterious mutation

Deleterious Mutation

A Deleterious Mutation is a genetic alteration that negatively impacts the fitness of an organism. It is a type of mutation that can cause a decrease in the survival or reproductive success of an organism.

Overview

Deleterious mutations can occur in any organism and can affect any gene. They can be caused by a variety of factors, including exposure to radiation, chemicals, or viruses, or they can occur spontaneously during DNA replication.

Deleterious mutations can be either dominant or recessive. Dominant deleterious mutations have an effect even if only one copy of the mutated gene is present, while recessive deleterious mutations only have an effect if two copies of the mutated gene are present.

Effects of Deleterious Mutations

The effects of deleterious mutations can vary widely. Some mutations may have only a minor effect on the organism, while others can be lethal. The severity of the effect often depends on the specific gene that is mutated and the nature of the mutation.

Deleterious mutations can also have an impact on the evolution of a species. They can lead to a decrease in the fitness of a population, which can in turn lead to a decrease in the population size. This can potentially lead to the extinction of a species.

Examples of Deleterious Mutations

There are many examples of deleterious mutations in humans. These include mutations that cause diseases such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, and Huntington's disease.

See Also

• Mutation
• Genetic Variation
• Evolution
• Genetic Disorders

References

Deleterious mutation Resources
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