Gene Mutations

~~coryallen2~~ · 04-28-2009, 07:02 AM

What are some that you think are awesome or just plain stupid.

What do you think will be in store for these "gene mutations" in the future? Do you thikn their will be a "mad scientist" aspect of it?

Tore's bit:

Genes mutate all the time which important when it comes to giving rise to genetic diversity. You can think of genes as a piece of paper with a nice drawing on it. If you put that in a copier and make 100 copies, not all those papers are gonna be 100% identical. Genes mutate because of mutagens that are substances we get in our bodies, because of errors in replication of genes during mitosis or meiosis (cell splitting) or simply because of radiation or background radiation from space which we can do nothing about. In other words, genes mutate all the time - in you, me and all those rats crawling around in the sewers.

Genes make gene products, proteins, and a mutated gene could make a protein with the same function as the "unmutated gene" (if those exist) but sometimes, the gene product is slightly altered so that function is less or completely destroyed.

Albinism in humans is caused by a mutation in the genetic pathway to producing melanin so that melanin prudction is less or totally disrupted.

04-28-2009, 07:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
~~coryallen2~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: lorain,ohio Posts: 909	Gene Mutations What are some that you think are awesome or just plain stupid. What do you think will be in store for these "gene mutations" in the future? Do you thikn their will be a "mad scientist" aspect of it? Tore's bit: Genes mutate all the time which important when it comes to giving rise to genetic diversity. You can think of genes as a piece of paper with a nice drawing on it. If you put that in a copier and make 100 copies, not all those papers are gonna be 100% identical. Genes mutate because of mutagens that are substances we get in our bodies, because of errors in replication of genes during mitosis or meiosis (cell splitting) or simply because of radiation or background radiation from space which we can do nothing about. In other words, genes mutate all the time - in you, me and all those rats crawling around in the sewers. Genes make gene products, proteins, and a mutated gene could make a protein with the same function as the "unmutated gene" (if those exist) but sometimes, the gene product is slightly altered so that function is less or completely destroyed. Albinism in humans is caused by a mutation in the genetic pathway to producing melanin so that melanin prudction is less or totally disrupted. Last edited by coryallen2; 04-28-2009 at 07:16 AM.