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Mutation (Edexcel IGCSE Science (Double Award)): Revision Note

Exam code: 4SD0

Lára Marie McIvor

Last updated

Edexcel Science (Double Award): BiologyEdexcel Biology (Modular): Unit 2Edexcel Biology

Mutations

  • Mutations are rare, random changes that occur in the sequence of DNA bases in a gene or a chromosome

  • Mutations can be inherited

  • They occur continuously

  • As the DNA base sequence determines the sequence of amino acids that make up a protein, mutations in a gene can sometimes lead to a change in the protein that the gene codes for

    • Most mutations do not alter the protein or only alter it slightly so that its appearance or function is not changed

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Lára Marie McIvor

Author: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Biology, Psychology & Sociology Subject Lead

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.