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DNA Adaptation In DNA

Decent Essays

Much of how the human body operates is due purely to one’s genetic disposition. This is due to the way proteins are produced. In protein production, DNA is read three base pairs at a time making up for a codon which codes for a specific amino acid. These amino acids are produced in translation, and they will be strung together by something called tRNA to make full proteins. In DNA replication, there are many factors that determine the efficiency and effectiveness of what product is achieved and how it functions. When base pairs are incorrect, are deleted, or extra pairs inserted, what is called a mutation occurs. Mutations often times change the structure of a protein, how it performs, or what protein is produced altogether. They can …show more content…

When an offspring has parents with similar genes, mutations in the parents are much more likely to be expressed. For example, the genes of first cousins share roughly one eighth of their DNA. If one shares this much DNA with their partner, the likelihood of specific genes or DNA being donated to the offspring increases exponentially in comparison to that of an offspring produced from non-similar parents. This allows recessive mutations in the genetic code to be expressed which is why many deformities, mutations, or handicaps are commonly seen in those produced from an incestuous relationship. Usually, common mutations that are seen are actually due to recessive alleles. However, even if the allele is recessive, having two parents who carry said recessive gene mate can easily cause an expression of a mutation. In cases of incest, due to relation, mating relationships can often have this recessive allele and will pass it on to an offspring. As it is commonly known by way of a punnet square, if two carriers for a recessive gene mate whose genotypes are (Xx) and (Xx), the offspring will have a 25% chance of expressing the mutated gene in the form of (xx) alleles. One may think that it is still not a high chance for mutation; however, in comparison to the chance of a mutation without a common recessive gene it is seen as an extreme risk. Knowing that such relations can cause mutations and health concerns helps the population to remove possible

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