A mutation is a permanent change in your DNA that can e!ect the structure of an organisms or living thing.

They can be inherited from your parents or acquired during your lifetime. Mutations can e!ect you in di!erent ways." Mutations range in size from a single DNA building block (DNA base) to a large segment of a chromosome. (Unknown 1, 2008) There are reasons why you get a mutation. The most common is when your DNA fails to make a copy accurately. For example, when a cell divides, it makes a copy of its DNA and sometimes the copy is not quite perfect. That small di!erence from the original DNA sequence is a mutation. (Unknown 2, 2014) External inuences can create mutations. Mutations can also be caused by exposure to specic chemicals or radiation. This can cause the DNA to break down. This is not necessarily unnatural even in the most isolated and pristine environments, DNA breaks down. Nevertheless, when the cell repairs the DNA, it might not do a perfect job of the repair. So the cell would end up with DNA slightly di!erent than the original DNA and hence, a mutation. (Unknown 2, 2014) The slightest mistake of a repair of DNA will cause a mutation." Some genetic mutations are rare. They are so common there are not known as a bad mutation. Genetic changes that occur in more than 1 percent of the population are called polymorphisms. Polymorphisms are responsible for many of the normal di!erences between people such as eye color, hair color, and blood type. Although many polymorphisms have no negative e!ects on a persons health, but it can cause disorders. (Unknown 1 , 2008) DNA also interacts with the environment. Sometimes that interaction can be detrimental to genetic information. In fact, every time you go outside, you put your DNA in danger, because ultraviolet (UV) light from the Sun can induce mutations in your skin cells. (Unknown 2, 2011) In life we put ourself in danger of having a mutation with out even knowing. So by understanding how mutations happen we can prevent mutations." The mutations we hear about most often are the ones that cause disease. Some well-known inherited genetic disorders include cystic brosis, sickle cell anemia, Tay-Sachs disease, phenylketonuria and colorblindness, among many others. All of these disorders are caused by the mutation of a single gene. Few mutations are bad for you. In fact, some mutations can be benecial. Over time, genetic mutations create genetic diversity, which keeps populations healthy. Many mutations have no e!ect

at all. These are called silent mutations. (Unknown 3, 2012) So all mutations aren't bad for us at all." Mutations happen all the time. Many people don't even know they have a mutations because it doesn't a!ect them. But some people get a!ected a lot by it. That is why by understanding mutations can help us in the future to nd ways to prevent mutations or nd out how to treat people with mutations the right way so they have the care they need to go on in their life." " " " " "