Question

Write a short note on mutation.

Answer 1

Mutation is a sudden hereditary change in the genetic makeup of an organism, which alters the nucleotide sequence of DNA. Mutations are the ultimate source of genetic variation and can be of three types: gene mutations (changes in the fine structure of genes), chromosomal mutations (structural changes in chromosomes), and genomatic mutations (changes in whole genome dosage). Gene mutations may be caused by insertions, deletions, or substitutions of nucleotides, and can be spontaneous or induced. These changes can affect the phenotype and play a crucial role in evolution by introducing new genetic material into populations.