LifeLine

When you hear the word mutation, you might immediately think of negative things. But in reality, mutations aren’t always dramatic or visible, they’re actually one of the most important forces driving life on Earth.

A mutation is a change in the DNA base sequence.hese changes can happen spontaneously or be triggered by external factors. A change in the DNA sequence might lead to change in functionality of protein such as an active sight of an enzyme may change and the shape would resist the binding of substrate

Mutations doesn’t always lead to negative change (some codons lead to the same amino acids). Most mutations occur in undoing regions of DNA. Mutations helps in understanding the process of evolution (causes). Mutation occurs frequently. They are the source of genetic variation, they can causes dieases but also fuel evolution. They are life’s greatest risk and it’s greatest opportunity. 

Types of Mutations 

• Substitutions
  • In place of one base, you replace it with another random base.
• Insertion
  • One or more nucleotides are added to the DNA sequence, shifting the reading frame of the codons. This often results in a nonfunctional protein due to the altered sequence of amino acids.
• Deletion
  • One or more nucleotides are removed from the DNA sequence, also causing a frameshift and potentially leading to a nonfunctional protein.

Insertion and deletion are more harmful mutations compared to substitution because they will change the entire sequence of amino acids from the point of mutation. Where they insert/delete as it causes bases it shifts, changing the codons, as they are read in triplets, it will shift the reading frame.

Mutations are caused due to spontaneous errors during replication, mutagens such as UV rays, or viruses which can insert genetic material into host cells. There are harmful mutations such as genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis, beneficial mutations such as CCR5-Delta 32 which provides resistance to HIV, and neutral mutations. 

Mutations are like nature’s editing tool. Without them, life would be static, unable to adapt or evolve.