The Natural Process of Reverse Mutation - Any Studies on its Mechanisms ?
Can anyone please confirm that if a mutation occurs within a population of animals or plants it may be inherited but, naturally, it will tend to be removed from the population over subsquent generations by naturally occurring processes such as 'reverse mutation'. ? And, if so, have detailed studies been done/published on the actual processes of 'reverse mutation' ?
Thank You
Answers:
Consider a Bacteria Losing an Antibiotic Resistance.
Not at all. If the mutation is deleterious enough, it will be selected against, but there's no mechanism that makes it more likely for the mutation to change itself back to the wild-type. Indeed, it would be silly to think that a deletion mutation can magically fix itself with ease.
The below is a link to the entries on "reverse mutation" from one of the texts on NCBI, but there's nothing there that says that reverse mutation happens more often then the happenstance of a mutation happening in the same place that it previously happened. (Granted, there are some loci that are just naturally more mutagenic, so if such a place acquires a mutation, then it is more likely to accumulate a second one)
This would depend on the mutation, whether it had useful effects or harmful effects. If the mutation made the carrier more attractive to the opposite sex and therefore made it a more successful breeder, then the mutation could spread throught the population. If the mutation gave the carrier a better chance of survival, then again it might spread.
If the mutation had little or no effect on "success" then it would tend to dissipate, but would remain in the population, and might at a later date prove to have a positive effect.
It is important to differentiate between the many mutations that occur inside the body due to faulty copying, that are frequently repaired before they have any external effect, and those mutations that are passed on to the next generation. It is the latter, much fewer, mutations that we are usually referring to when we refer to mutations within a population.
DNA repair corrects most mutations, but not all. However unless the mutation affects the gamete it is not passed on to the next generation.
how much would the sea level drop if all the ferry's and all the yachts and boats where takin out?
do all animals with horns have split hooves?
If an alien offered you to go with him on Mars, would you accept it?
What is solar flare?
how long is a peice of string?
What creature has ten pairs of legs? This ones for my little bro's homework.?
what will christmas day weather be like in great britain 2006.?
Why isn't there a dinosaur category on UKQnA.com!?
Thank You
Answers:
Consider a Bacteria Losing an Antibiotic Resistance.
Not at all. If the mutation is deleterious enough, it will be selected against, but there's no mechanism that makes it more likely for the mutation to change itself back to the wild-type. Indeed, it would be silly to think that a deletion mutation can magically fix itself with ease.
The below is a link to the entries on "reverse mutation" from one of the texts on NCBI, but there's nothing there that says that reverse mutation happens more often then the happenstance of a mutation happening in the same place that it previously happened. (Granted, there are some loci that are just naturally more mutagenic, so if such a place acquires a mutation, then it is more likely to accumulate a second one)
This would depend on the mutation, whether it had useful effects or harmful effects. If the mutation made the carrier more attractive to the opposite sex and therefore made it a more successful breeder, then the mutation could spread throught the population. If the mutation gave the carrier a better chance of survival, then again it might spread.
If the mutation had little or no effect on "success" then it would tend to dissipate, but would remain in the population, and might at a later date prove to have a positive effect.
It is important to differentiate between the many mutations that occur inside the body due to faulty copying, that are frequently repaired before they have any external effect, and those mutations that are passed on to the next generation. It is the latter, much fewer, mutations that we are usually referring to when we refer to mutations within a population.
DNA repair corrects most mutations, but not all. However unless the mutation affects the gamete it is not passed on to the next generation.
The answers post by the user, for information only, UKQnA.com does not guarantee the right.