mutant allele
Quick Summary
A mutant allele is a changed form of a gene that can alter an organism's traits. Mutations are alterations in genetic material that can be passed to descendants. These changes can occur spontaneously due to errors in DNA replication or be induced by environmental factors like radiation or chemicals.1
Mutations can affect genes in several ways:
* Point mutations: Changes to a single DNA base pair, which can alter an amino acid sequence or create a premature stop signal.1
* Frameshift mutations: The addition or deletion of DNA bases, which shifts the reading frame of the genetic code, leading to a completely altered protein.1
* Chromosomal mutations: Larger-scale changes affecting chromosome structure, such as deletions, duplications, inversions, or translocations.1
Mutations in body cells (somatic mutations) can lead to issues like cancer, while mutations in reproductive cells (germinal mutations) can be inherited by offspring, potentially causing genetic diseases. While most mutations are neutral or harmful, some can be beneficial and provide the raw material for evolution.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
mutation…a gene is called a mutantallele. A gene is typically composed of a regulatory region, which is responsible for turning the gene’s transcription on and off at the appropriate times during development, and a coding region, which carries the genetic code for the structure of a functional molecule, generally a…
Read More…a gene is called a mutantallele. A gene is typically composed of a regulatory region, which is responsible for turning the gene’s transcription on and off at the appropriate times during development, and a coding region, which carries the genetic code for the structure of a functional molecule, generally a…
Read More- mutation
…however, the fate of individual mutant alleles is never certain. Most are eliminated by chance. In some cases a mutant allele can increase in frequency by chance, and then individuals expressing the allele can be subject to selection, either positive or negative. Hence, for any one gene the frequency of…
Read More…however, the fate of individual mutant alleles is never certain. Most are eliminated by chance. In some cases a mutant allele can increase in frequency by chance, and then individuals expressing the allele can be subject to selection, either positive or negative. Hence, for any one gene the frequency of…
Read More