Mutations

A mutation is the change of the DNA in a cell. Various factors in the environment contribute to the cause of a mutation. These are called mutagens.  Various poisonous chemicals such as cigarette smoke and pesticides are examples of mutagens. As well as poisonous chemicals, radiation is also a nutagen. A mutation can be positive, negative, or neutral. A positive mutation would be when you are benefited by it. For example, some people have a mutation that protects them from getting HIV. A neutral mutation would be when the mutation does not affect your well being. An example of a neutral mutation would be  your eye color, it doesn't give you any advantages or disadvantages. A negative mutation would be a mutation that affects your well being in a harmful way. A disease such as Down's Syndrome would be an example of a negative mutation. When DNA mutates, the pairs that bases are suposed to go into get switched around. Meaning a base could be added, taken away, or a base could be put in place of another. This changing of bases is what causes the mutation.