3.3 Explain how mutations in the DNA sequence of a gene may or may not result in phenotypic change in an organism. Explain how mutations in gametes may result in phenotypic changes in offspring.
Notice the base pairs are broken, they don't line-up
Mutations
Mutations are mistakes in the sequence of the base pairs. Mutations happen naturally. There are 4 billion pass pairs that need to be copied for every cell division.
You have trillions of cells times 4 billion base pairs! Wild I know.
There ARE going to be mistakes, but it's ok. Some of these mutations are helpful for a species to evolve.
Some mutations are caused by carcinogens like smoke, UV radiation, X-rays (that's why you wear that heavy, lead blanket), eating fatty foods, breathing polluted air, etc.
These mutations can cause cancer or if they occur in a gamete, birth defects in the baby.