are all genetic mutations harmful
Mutations in non-coding, or junk, DNA are neutral and have no effect on the organism. Point mutations are mutations of a single base pair. One particular point mutation causes sickle-cell anemia. For sufferers of sickle-cell, this a harmful mutation that prevents red blood cells from transporting oxygen correctly. Silent mutations are point mutations that do not change the amino acid sequence of the protein. These are most likely to have no effect. Redundancy of the Genetic Code reduces the chance that point mutations that result in a change in the third nucleotide of a codon will alter the specified amino acid. A mutation is any physical change in the genetic material (such as a gene or a chromosome). A gene that contains a mutation (a change in the base sequence of the DNA) will produce an altered mRNA molecule that will produce an altered sequence of amino acids in the resulting protein. A mutation is a change in a DNA sequence that alters the protein for which the DNA codes. Sometimes mutations occur due to damage from an outside source, such as ultraviolet radiation. Excess ultraviolet radiation from the sun sometimes causes mutations that lead a cell to become cancerous. Few mutations are bad for you. In fact, some mutations can be beneficial. Over time, genetic mutations create genetic diversity, which keeps populations healthy. Many mutations have no effect at all. These are called silent mutations. But the mutations we hear about most often are the ones that cause disease. Some well-known inherited genetic disorders include cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Tay-Sachs disease, phenylketonuria and color-blindness, among many others. All of these disorders are caused by the mutation of a single gene. Mutation can result in many different types of change in sequences. Mutations in genes can either have no effect, alter the product of a gene, or prevent the gene from functioning properly or completely. Mutations can also occur in nongenic regions. Most mutations that damage a DNA strand are harmful. Other mutations occur due to deletion or insertion of DNA base pairs. One such deletion in humans confers HIV resistance or a delayed AIDS onset. Humans who are heterozygous for the mutation, meaning they possess one mutant gene and one normal gene, experience a slower progression of AIDS. Best Answer: Most mutations are harmful, and most organisms that get these mutations are never even born (hatched or sprouted). If an organism with a harmful mutation does survive, it usually doesn't do as well as its normal relatives. For example, in humans, Downs' Syndrome is a mutation where the person gets an extra chromosome #23. 1 A harmful, or deleterious, mutation decreases the fitness of the organism.  A beneficial, or advantageous mutation increases the fitness of the organism. Mutations that promotes traits that are desirable, are also called beneficial. A mutation may or may not affect the amino acid sequence. A mutation may or may not affect the phenotype. Some specific mutations in a gene may have more adverse affects than other mutations in the same gene. A mutation is not necessarily bad. It may even be good. A mutation may enhance or positively change the function of the protein produced by the gene.
No