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PAGE 4 EXAMPLES OF ANIMALS AND HUMANS MUTATION
- over a lifetime our DNA can undergo changes or "mutation"in the sequence of base, A,C,G and T.
- Thia results in changes in the protein that are made. Thin can be a bad or a good thing.
- Mutations can occur during DNA replication if errors are made and not corrected in time.
- Mutations can also occur as the result of exposure to enviromental factors such as smoking, sunlight and radiation.
- Often cells can recognise any potentially mutation causing damage abd repair it before it become a fixed mutation.
- Mutations contribute to genetic variation within species.
- Mutation can also be inherited, particularly if they have a positive effect.
For example, the disoder sickle cell anemia is caused by a mutation in the gene that instructs the building of a protein called heaemoglobin. This causes the red blood cells to become abnormal, rigid, sickle shape. However,in African populations, having the mutation also protects against malaria.
- Cancer is common human diseases; it is caused by mutations occuring in a number of growth controlling genes. Sometimes faulty,cancer causing genes can exist from birth, increasing a person's chance of getting cancer.