Mutations
The word “Mutation” brings up frightening images. It shouldn’t, after all, everyone of us is a mutation. However there is a form of chemical induced mutation we should be aware of.
The word “Mutation” brings up frightening images. It shouldn’t, after all, everyone of us is a mutation. Blue eyes, brown, grey, and so forth, all are the result of a mutation. At some point the original human eye color mutated and developed other forms, as none of these forms were an advantage or disadvantage, they survived. It is possible that at one time somebody was born with another eye color which died out.
Eyes themselves are a mutation. At some ancient prehistoric time some creature was born (or hatched) with a new feature: Eyes! This mutation was an advantage, it gave that creature a huge advantage. It could see its prey, and could see predators.
Mutations can happen several ways during reproduction. A single chromosome may miss a chuck of DNA, may duplicate the DNA or may copy it in reverse. Other mutations can take place too.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Single_Chromosome_Mutations.png
One other mutation advantage, that undoubtedly occurred before eyes, was the development of limbs. While certainly some animals have the ability to move without limbs, such as snakes. The majority of land animals currently have four limbs, two front, two hind. This is all because of some ancient creature finding this assembly to be advantageous. That creature survived, its offspring becoming the great grandfathers of nearly every larger land species known today, insects and fish not included.
These kinds of mutations are genetic, they are passed down to an animals offspring. Other mutations are not advantages and the deformed offspring do not survive. Born with abnormal appendages that are useless, they would not survive on their own without medical aid.
Inbreeding often results in horrible mutations. In the below picture we see a child who died at 15 days of age. The couple had one child before who was also born with the same deformities. The couple came from a family line where there was a lot of intermarriage.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roberts_synd.JPG
Another type of mutation is one that occurs during the lifetime of an animal. These are influenced by outside factors, such as chemicals. Any factor that can cause a mutation is referred to as a mutagen.
While movies often show people instantly mutating and growing additional limbs, eyes, and heads, this is very likely not going to occur. What may happen is normal healthy cells will mutate into cancer cells.
One of the earliest discoveries of mutagens was in 1775. The young boys who were used as chimney sweeps were found to have higher incidences of scrotal cancer. Dr. Percivall Pott wrote a paper connecting this link. 150 years later a carcinogen was found in the soot.
As such we really don’t have to get our trousers in a knot worrying about a group of turtles mutating into giant warriors or crime fighting heroes. We should concern ourselves with what chemicals we expose ourselves too, expose our pets too, and our food animals too, and our unborn children.
Other Links
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17 Responses to “Mutations”
On October 7, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Wow… that was a very interesting article and beautifully written. That poor baby and hundreds like him, how terrible. We don’t know the half of what chemicals are out there doing us damage. Thanks for bringing this up.
On October 7, 2009 at 12:27 pm
very interesting article. Learned today new facts about mutations.
On October 7, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Never thought of it that way before,thanks for sharing!
On October 7, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Very interesting… and unusual…
On October 7, 2009 at 7:13 pm
I’ve stopped worrying about myself but my dog treats have red 40, blue 1, yellow 6 and yellow 5. Can that be good?
On October 7, 2009 at 8:06 pm
A topic to consider and think about. Unless we grow it ourselves we can never really be sure what we are eating or using in our homes. I wonder what we will look like in 4000 years?
On October 7, 2009 at 10:03 pm
A good reason not to marry a cousin. It’s a sad situation that children are born so terribly wrong.
On October 11, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Am I commenting to the article of a genetic scientist? A very remarkable article. BTW I’m more interested about mutation giving rise to the X-Men not Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (kidding). Well written, Brenda.
Regards,
Will
On October 12, 2009 at 1:18 am
B,
The deformed child was a real tear jerker for me. This is why incest is against the law. I have many beautiful nieces, cousins, and three sister I love very much, but having an incestuous relationship with them would be totally out of the question. This is the biggest reason mutations like this happen. Its very sad when it does happen, and yet so many people live in secret relationships like this. Excellent article, B.
Randy
On October 12, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Very interesting article.
On October 12, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Love it B. Not the usual writing response to the challenge.
Your writing is very informative and thought provoking.
Well done.
On October 12, 2009 at 7:37 pm
I am very disappointed with mutations. I wanted super powers and all I got was this big gut.
On October 13, 2009 at 12:57 am
Nice write. Enjoyed the “different” route and the information.
On October 13, 2009 at 10:05 am
Not bad B. I thought it was a clever response to the writing challenge.
On October 13, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Eyes did not magically happen at some point in history. There was a gradual progression from photosensitive cells, to a pit with those cells, to a pit with a clear layer of cells over those cells. Scientific American and National Geographic have had several articles on the progression of eye development.
On October 13, 2009 at 10:47 pm
On December 9, 2009 at 9:08 am
Doing a research paper on this and couldn’t help but to feel sad for the little kids who have to face deformaties, because their genetics are too similar, great article and well written!
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