forward mutation

A forward mutation is a genetic change where a gene's wild type (normal) form mutates into a different allelic form. This process is a fundamental aspect of molecular genetics, occurring randomly as DNA is copied during cell division. If these copying errors are not repaired, they alter the DNA sequence and the genetic code.12

Mutation can occur in two directions: from wild type to mutant (forward mutation) or from mutant back to wild type (back mutation or reversion). The consequences of a forward mutation depend on the type of change in the DNA and the specific gene affected. These changes can range from altering a single DNA base, potentially changing an amino acid in a protein, to larger deletions or insertions that can disrupt protein synthesis. Mutations in reproductive cells can be passed to offspring, while those in body cells affect only the individual.12