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6.1.1 Mutation: Unit 6: Mutation Chapter 1: Mutation
6.1.1 Mutation: Unit 6: Mutation Chapter 1: Mutation
Chapter 1: Mutation
6.1.1 Mutation
An inheritable spontaneous deviation from the “wild type” is called “mutation” and the
organism in which it occurs is called a “mutant”. Genetic recombination, through
independent assortment and reciprocal crossing-over, reshuffles existing alleles into
new combinations and in sexually reproducing organisms is an effective method of
promoting genetic variation. However, genetic recombination cannot create new
alleles in the first instance: the ultimate source of all genetic variation is mutation.
Types of Mutation
Chromosome mutation may change the order of the genes within the
chromosome, e.g., by deficiency, deletion, inversion, duplication, or
translocation.
Gene or point mutations may result from changes in the base sequence
in a gene.
6.1.2 Chromosome mutations
6.1.2.2. Polyploidy
6.1.2.3.Polyploidy in fishes
1. Depurination. A and G may break off, leaving gaps in the double helix.
TCAGAAA TC -- GAAA TCGAAA
AGTCTTT AG T CTTT AGCTTT 1Bp shorter
2. Deamination. C may lose its amino group, and so become U.The latter
pairs with A, not G, so a switch from C:G to U:A may occur.
TCAGAAA TUAGAAA TUAGAAA
Physical mutations
A variety of chemicals are known which are mutagenic, and these may be classified
into three groups according to their modes of action.