In: Biology
1. What impacts can mutations have on organisms? Can they be harmful? Can they be beneficial?
2. why every cell does not express all of its genes?
1.Mutations are changes in DNA, that may be inherited or acquired after birth. Mutation may be harmless,harmful or may not cause any changes at all.For example one mutation may give moth its colour ,which helps it to blend better with surroundings and avoid predatory birds. In this case mutation is beneficial to the moth.Some mutations may cause diseases like haemophilia,cystic fibrosis ,colour blindness and prove harmful to the organism.Some mutation can cause development of extra finger in humans and may be completely harmless.Some other mutations may not cause any phenotypic change or disease.
2. If all the genes are expressed ,all the cells energy will get consumed. Secondly cell expresses genes depending on protein and other needs of the cell.If all genes get expressed, we would inherit all genetic diseases of our ancestors.So gene expression is regulated in eukaryotes and not all genes are active or expressed.