Question

What is meant by mutation?

Answer 1

Hint: Some changes occuring in the DNA material or the genes of our genetic material that also then make changes in our body

Complete answer:
Sudden heritable change in genetic material or character of an organism is known as mutation. individuals showing these changes are known as Mutants. Individuals showing an altered phenotype due to mutation are known as variants. Factors or agents causing mutation are known as mutagens. Mutation which causes changes in the base sequence of a gene are known as gene mutation or point mutation. Some characteristics of mutation 1. Generally mutant alleles are recessive to their wild type or normal alleles. 2. Most mutations have harmful effects, but some mutations are beneficial. 3. Spontaneous mutations occur at a very low rate. 4. Some genes show a high rate of mutation such genes are called mutable genes. 5. Highly mutable sites within a gene are known as hot spots. 6. Mutation can occur in any tissue/cell (somatic or germinal) of an organism
Mutations arise spontaneously at low frequency owing to the chemical instability of purine and pyrimidine bases and to errors during DNA replication. Natural exposure of an organism to certain environmental factors, such as ultraviolet light and chemical carcinogens (e.g., aflatoxin B1), also can cause mutations.

Note: A mutation is a change that occurs in our DNA sequence, either due to mistakes when the DNA is copied or as the result of environmental factors such as UV light and cigarette smoke. Mutations can also occur as the result of exposure to environmental factors such as smoking, sunlight and radiation.