Mutations & Genetic Variation
- Differences exist between organisms of the same species
- These differences are known as variation
- Examples of variation include:
- Coat colour in mammals
- Body length in fish
- Flower colour in flowering plants
- Variation results from small differences in DNA base sequences between individual organisms within a population
- There are several sources of these differences in DNA base sequences:
- Mutation
- Meiosis
- Random fertilisation during sexual reproduction
Mutations
- The original source of genetic variation is mutation
- Mutation results in the generation of new alleles which can influence evolution of a species
- Mutations that take place in the dividing cells of the sex organs lead to changes in the alleles of the gametes that are passed on to the next generation
- A new allele may be advantageous, disadvantageous or have no apparent effect
- An advantageous allele is more likely to be passed on to the next generation because it increases the chance that an organism will survive and reproduce
- A disadvantageous mutation is more likely to die out because an organism with such a mutation is less likely to survive and reproduce
- Mutations in a species are, in the long term, essential for evolution by natural selection
- Note that a mutation taking place in a body, or somatic, cell will not be passed on to successive generations, and so will have no impact on natural selection
- Mutation is the only source of variation in asexually reproducing species
NOS: Commercial genetic tests can yield information about potential future health and disease risk. One possible impact is that, without expert interpretation, this information could be problematic
- There are two types of genetic testing available
- Clinical or medical genetic testing
- This is carried out through healthcare providers such as doctors, nurse practitioners, or genetic counselors
- Healthcare providers determine which test is needed, order the test from a laboratory, collect the DNA sample, send the DNA sample to a laboratory for testing and analysis, and importantly they share the results with the patient and ensure understanding of the test results and the implications to the individual and their families
- Commercial genetic testing provides genetic tests marketed directly to customers
- The test kits can be bought online or in stores
- Customers send the company a DNA sample and receive their results directly from the genetic company or lab
- Commercial genetic testing provides people access to their genetic information without necessarily involving a healthcare provider
- This can pose some problems
- Commercially available genetic tests are not scientifically validated and can give inaccurate results
- Unexpected information that a customer receives about their health, family relationships, or ancestry may be stressful or upsetting
- People may make important decisions about disease treatment based on inaccurate or misunderstood information from their test results
- Individuals often are not provided with genetic counseling
- Clinical or medical genetic testing