Genetic Diversity and Mutations

Think about the last time you had to write an essay or complete your math homework. Were you able to do every problem without making a mistake? Did you use the spell check to edit the spelling and grammar in your essay? Sometimes, when the DNA is replicating, mistakes are made that are not caught by the proof-reading mechanism. These mistakes cause changes in the DNA. At other times, environmental factors are strong enough to make permanent changes to the DNA. In this topic, you will learn about changes to the DNA, called mutations, and the causes of these changes.

Essential Questions

• What are the different types of mutations?
• How do mutations occur?
• Are there any beneficial mutations?