Are all mutants bad? Mendel Workshop
Mutant An individual that has a heritable change in its DNA resulting in a novel phenotype, ie. a new allele.
How we perceive mutants
The good mutants
Sweet corn Single gene mutations in several different starch biosynthesis genes have been introduced into field corn to produce the sweet corn we eat today. shrunken, sugary, amylose extender
Indian corn Single gene mutations in the anthocyanin (pigment) production pathway lead to the colored kernels we see on an ear of Indian corn.
Waxy1 A mutation in the waxy gene has been used in production of tapioca.
Useful mutations Disease resistance genes – Anthocyanin genes Insect resistance genes – Glossy mutants Flowering time genes
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