mutacij

Mutacija is a term used in biology to describe a permanent alteration in the nucleotide sequence of the genome of an organism, virus, or extrachromosomal DNA or other genetic elements. Mutations result from damage to DNA or RNA by mutagenic agents. Mutations can be caused by errors in DNA replication or repair, or by external factors like radiation or chemicals. They can occur in somatic cells, affecting only the individual organism, or in germline cells, which are passed on to offspring.

The effects of mutations can vary widely. Some mutations have no discernible effect, while others can be beneficial, neutral, or harmful. Beneficial mutations can lead to advantageous traits that increase an organism's survival and reproduction, driving evolutionary change. Neutral mutations do not significantly impact an organism's fitness. Harmful mutations can cause genetic disorders, diseases, or reduce an organism's ability to survive and reproduce.

Mutations are a fundamental source of genetic variation, the raw material for evolution. Understanding mutations is crucial for fields such as medicine, genetics, and evolutionary biology. Medical research often focuses on identifying and understanding mutations that cause diseases to develop diagnostic tools and treatments. In evolutionary studies, mutations are analyzed to trace the history of life and understand how species have adapted to their environments over time.