What is a mutation?
Genes are units of inheritance that exist within chromosomes. Each chromosome is a double-stranded molecule of DNA. A mutation is an alteration of a gene’s DNA sequence that can result in changes to the protein that the mutated gene codes for. To better understand the relationship between mutations, genes, DNA and proteins, it is helpful to first review what DNA is and how it works.
DNA is copied and passed down over time and through generations. During the DNA replication process, changes sometimes occur. These changes are called mutations. A mutation is a change or variation in DNA sequence of a gene or a genetic marker. Some mutations cause disease, but most are harmless. Over time, DNA accumulates more mutations. Thus, your close relatives have the same DNA mutations, as you while people who are not closely related will have very different DNA mutations. Are you interested in finding people around the world closely related to you? Visit us at www.genetree.com and join the excitement of discovery based on your own DNA! Join GeneTree! Your family networking website.
