Genetic Variation: Mutations

What is a mutation?

A mutation is any change in the DNA sequence. 

There are three types of mutations:

* addition: One or more nucleotide base pairs are inserted into a DNA sequence (also called frameshift mutation) 

*deletion: The removal of one or more nucleotides in a DNA sequence (also called frameshift mutation)

*substitution: A mutation that exchanges one or more bases for another (also called point mutation)

How do they occur & why?

Mutations for randomly, but different mutations occur different ways.

 Most of the time a mutation comes from radiation (so like the sun, X-rays, tanning salons, etc). Some mutations can be genetic though, like autism. Autism is caused when theres an extra chromosome.

Another common mutation would be cancer. Cancer occurs when cells uncontrollably grow, and don't die. 

Can it be prevented? 

Unfortunately, mutations are random. The best way to prevent them is to protect yourself out in the sun, don't use tanning beds and avoiding X-Rays (or any form of scanning/direct UV rays) if possible.

Reflection:

Personally, this was a very very easy topic for me to understand. Everything just clicked and made sense; the notes we took on mutations help me understand everything a lot more. As for my personal life, mutations are a big part of everything I do. My mom works as a teacher with autistic children. Sometimes I'll get to meet her students, and work with them one on one (sometimes even teach them new things!). Along with autism, I know a lot of people who have or who have had cancer. Two of my best friends and some family members have all died from different forms of cancer. While learning about mutations, I loved learning how this formed inside them and why. When they were all diagnosed, I was unbelievably heartbroken and kind of mad that this was happening, but its nice to know more about what they had and why. It was defiantly a big eye opener.

Citations:

* https://www.chocolatetext.com/images/autismRibbon.gif

* http://www.compassphs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/cancer.jpg

* My notebook