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How do mutations affect an organism?

Answer
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Hint: An alteration in the DNA sequence of an organism by agents like ionizing radiation, chemicals or viruses is called a mutation. It can happen during DNA copying that takes place in cell division.

Complete answer:
By modifying its physical characteristics (or phenotype), mutations can affect an organism or can influence the way DNA codes genetic information (genotype). They can cause the termination (death) of an organism when mutations occur, or they can be partially lethal. This implies that in its climate, the organism has trouble adapting to and surviving.
In the life of an organism, mutations are typically the cause of several illnesses and defects.
There is a beneficial influence of certain mutations on the organism in which they occur.

They're called mutations that are beneficial. These contribute to new protein versions that help species respond to changes in their environment. Beneficial mutations are vital for evolution to take place. They improve the surviving or reproducing changes of an organism, so they are likely to become more widespread over time.

Cancer is a disease in which cells develop out of control and form cell masses that are abnormal. Mutations in genes that control the cell cycle are normally induced by it. Cells with damaged DNA are able to divide without limit because of the mutations. It is possible to inherit cancer genes.

Note: 1)Recessive mutations lead to a loss of function, in which if a normal gene copy is present, it is masked. Both alleles must bear the mutation for the mutant phenotype to occur.
2)In the presence of a normal copy of the gene, dominant mutations contribute to a mutant phenotype. Either a loss or a gain of function can reflect the phenotypes associated with dominant mutations.
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