Febuary 20,15 What is a gene mutation and and how do they occur? A gene mutation is a permanent alteration in your DNA sequence that makes up a gene. Mutations range in size. They can affect anywhere from a single DNA building block or base pair to a large segment of a chromosome that includes multiple genes. Genetic changes that are described as de novo or new mutations can be either hereditary or somatic. A de novo mutation may explain genetic disorders in which an affected child has a mutation in every cell in the body but the parents do not, and there is no family history of the disorder.
A gene mutation is a permanent alteration in your DNA sequence that makes up a gene. Mutations range in size. They can affect anywhere from a single DNA building block or base pair to a large segment of a chromosome that includes multiple genes. Genetic changes that are described as de novo or new mutations can be either hereditary or somatic. A de novo mutation may explain genetic disorders in which an affected child has a mutation in every cell in the body but the parents do not, and there is no family history of the disorder.