Genome and mutationsSingle gene mutations

DNA replication is carefully controlled to preserve the genetic information. However, changes in the genome do sometimes occur. These changes are known as mutations.

Part of Human BiologyHuman Cells

Single gene mutations

Single gene mutations involve the alteration of a DNA nucleotide. This can happen as a result of one of the following:

  • the substitution of one nucleotide with another
  • the insertion of one or more nucleotides into a DNA sequence
  • the deletion of one or more nucleotides from a sequence
Chain of letters showing the various stages that comprise gene mutation: substitution, then insertion and finally deletion.
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