Mutation is the change in the organization of a gene as a result of a change in the chemical nature of a gene. The change involves modification of the DNA molecule. The alterations in the DNA structure may be both beneficial and harmful to a certain species of an organism.
Harmful effects of DNA structure alteration
Some harmful effects arise due to gene mutations. For instance, in human beings, some disorders may arise as a result of a change in the DNA structure. The disorders include albinism, sickle-cell anemia, color blindness, and hemophilia. Sickle-cell anemia occurs through substitution of a portion of a DNA with a new portion. The individual with sickle-cell anemia is said to be homozygous for the defective gene that usually directs the synthesis of hemoglobin. The red blood cells are sickle-shaped, and the person has instances of oxygen shortage due to less surface area for packing hemoglobin. The hemoglobin is responsible for transport of oxygen. Hemophilia is a condition where an individual’s blood cannot clot after a cut. The person, therefore, may lose a lot of blood from a minor cut due to the prolonged bleeding. The condition is caused by a hemophilic gene that prevents the production of the clotting factors in the body. Color blindness and albinism are also caused by defects in the DNA structure caused by mutations.
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Beneficial Effect of DNA structure alteration
Gene mutations may have some benefits to an organism. For instance, individuals with the sickle-cell trait have an advantage those with normal hemoglobin in surviving malarial attacks. Similarly, some pests may survive and keep reproducing even when they are exposed to pesticides repeatedly. Charles Darwin explained this regarding natural selection. Due to the constant exposure to pesticides, the pests acquire a gene for resistance through mutation hence they acquire the ability to resist the effects of the pesticides. The organism’s population can thus be preserved due to a gene mutation.
Gene mutation is the most important form of genetic change in evolution. The mutations help to explain the Darwinian’s theory of natural selection. The theory explains how organisms acquire new characteristics through mutations and then pass on these new traits to the offsprings leading to the formation of new species.
