Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Mutations

Mutations

Mutations are changes in the sequence of DNA. These changes can occur spontaneously or they can be induced by exposure to environmental factors. Mutations can be characterized in a number of different ways: whether and how they alter the amino acid sequence of the protein, whether they occur over a small or large area of DNA, and whether they occur in somatic cells or germline cells.
Chromosomal Alterations Are Large-Scale Mutations
While point mutations are changes in a single nucleotide in...

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).

Mismatch Repair

Mismatch Repair

Organisms are capable of detecting and fixing nucleotide mismatches that occur during DNA replication. This sophisticated process requires identifying the new strand and replacing the erroneous bases with correct nucleotides. Mismatch repair is coordinated by many proteins in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
The Mutator Protein Family Plays a Key Role in DNA Mismatch Repair
The human genome has more than 3 billion base pairs of DNA per cell. Prior to cell division, that vast amount of genetic...

Viral Mutations

Viral Mutations

A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material...

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...

Gene Conversion

Gene Conversion

Other than maintaining genome stability via DNA repair, homologous recombination plays an important role in diversifying the genome. In fact, the recombination of sequences forms the molecular basis of genomic evolution. Random and non-random permutations of genomic sequences create a library of new amalgamated sequences. These newly formed genomes can determine the fitness and survival of cells. In bacteria, homologous and non-homologous types of recombination lead to the evolution of new...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Improving scientific mentoring with history and philosophy of science.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026

Same author

De novo rates of a <i>Trypanosoma</i>-resistant mutation in two human populations.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2025

Same author

Metabolic complementation between cells drives the evolution of tissues and organs.

Biology letters·2024

Same author

The paradox of predictability provides a bridge between micro- and macroevolution.

Journal of evolutionary biology·2024

Same author

Teleonomy: Revisiting a Proposed Conceptual Replacement for Teleology.

Biological theory·2023

Same author

Genes that are Used Together are More Likely to be Fused Together in Evolution by Mutational Mechanisms: A Bioinformatic Test of the Used-Fused Hypothesis.

Evolutionary biology·2023

Same journal

AI in Genomics: From Variant Calling to Multi-Omics Integration.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2026

Same journal

Rethinking One Health: Microbial Foundations for Ecological Governance.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2026

Same journal

Biobanked Liver Organoids: A Roadmap for Precision Hepatology.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2026

Same journal

The Temporal Architecture of Human Cells: Organelle Clocks and Distributed Circadian Time.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2026

Same journal

Opposing Activity at the Apical Surface: An Antagonistic Collaboration Between Crumbs and Myosin II Determines Organ Shape.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2026

Same journal

Hidden Fungal DNA Structures May Shape Sequencing Outcomes.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2025

Measuring Microbial Mutation Rates with the Fluctuation Assay

Measuring Microbial Mutation Rates with the Fluctuation Assay

Published on: November 28, 2019

Mutation and evolution: Conceptual possibilities.

Adi Livnat^1,2, Alan C Love³

¹Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.

Bioessays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology

|January 23, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Mutation

Keywords:

Lamarckism directed mutation interaction-based evolution modifier theory random mutation

More Related Videos

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Site-Directed Mutagenesis for In Vitro and In Vivo Experiments Exemplified with RNA Interactions in Escherichia Coli

Site-Directed Mutagenesis for In Vitro and In Vivo Experiments Exemplified with RNA Interactions in Escherichia Coli

Published on: February 5, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 5, 2025

Measuring Microbial Mutation Rates with the Fluctuation Assay

Measuring Microbial Mutation Rates with the Fluctuation Assay

Published on: November 28, 2019

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Site-Directed Mutagenesis for In Vitro and In Vivo Experiments Exemplified with RNA Interactions in Escherichia Coli

Site-Directed Mutagenesis for In Vitro and In Vivo Experiments Exemplified with RNA Interactions in Escherichia Coli

Published on: February 5, 2019

Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Genetics

Background:

Random mutation is fundamental to evolutionary change.
Current understanding of mutation's role in evolution needs refinement.

Purpose of the Study:

To clarify conceptual possibilities for mutation in evolution.
To introduce and support the concept of complex conditioned mutation.

Main Methods:

Distinguishing claims at the intersection of mutation, evolution, and directionality.
Characterizing complex conditioned mutation.
Reviewing empirical evidence and suggesting experimental approaches.

Main Results:

Identified a previously unrecognized category: complex conditioned mutation.
Empirical evidence supports the existence of complex conditioned mutation.
Suggests revisiting the fluctuation test and employing advanced techniques.

Conclusions:

Complex conditioned mutation offers new perspectives on evolutionary processes.
Revisiting classic experiments and utilizing new technologies can enhance our understanding of mutation rates.
Further research is needed to explore the full implications of complex conditioned mutation in evolution.