1. Genetic Mutations

2. What is a Genetic Mutation?
A mutation is a change in the genetic material (DNA) of a cell.
Mutations may occur in any cell of the body and may be the result of one or several
unpredictable factors.

4. What is a Genetic Mutation cont’d
If the mutations affect the reproductive cells, they can be passed from one generation to the next
Mutations that affect other cells of the body are not inheritable.

6. Environmental Factors
Some mutations are caused by environmental factors:
1) Overexposure to sunlight
2) Pollutions
3) Pesticides

7. DDT and Bald Eagles

8. Lifestyle Factors If you live an unhealthy lifestyle by taking:
1) Toxins (alcohol, drugs, etc)
2) Carcinogens (smoking, etc)
3) Food additives
These can cause mutations in a person or in a developing fetus.

10. PHENYLKETONURIA (or PKU)
Causes mental deficiency
Effects can be lessened by changing the diet of the individual with the mutation.

11. Types of Mutations Many cancers are caused by such mutations.
Not all mutations are harmful. Many have no effect, or cause slight, harmless changes
An organism may not appear mutant at all (in other words, though it’s genotype is mutant, its phenotype is normal)

12. Types of Mutations
Occasionally, mutations arise that are beneficial to organisms
For example, some bacteria may have developed resistance to antibiotics in this manner

14. How mutations occur? fetal exposure to alcohol
overexposure to sunlight
radiation
carcinogens
food additives
hormone mimics
pollution
pesticides
Non prescription drugs
German measles or other infectious diseases