Transcript this also allows him to have quicker starts and

Pink Katydid
www.BioEdOnline.org
Mutation



A mutation is a random
change in an organism’s
genetic material.
Heritable mutations can lead
to changes in the gene pool of
a population.
New mutations can be:
 harmful
 neutral

advantageous
BioEd Online
Due to their lack of
camouflage, albino alligators
generally do not survive to
adulthood in the wild.
www.BioEdOnline.org
Flu: The virus


Influenza viruses that cause serious
human disease
Minor genetic changes in the virus help
it to escape the immune system’s
memory. To keep up with these
changes, influenza vaccines must be
reformulated annually.
Electron micrographs
of regular particles of
influenza virus after
growth in the
laboratory.
Micrographs prepared by
Ross Hamilton.
www.BioEdOnline.org
Avian Influenzas:
Change Mechanisms




Small errors (mutations)
occur during the copying
of genetic information.
Flu A viruses are unable
to repair errors.
Small changes make the
virus look new to the
immune system.
Immunity against
previous strains does not
protect against the new
version.
NIAID/NIH
BioEd Online
www.BioEdOnline.org
You Decide




For each of the following organism slides
1. Determine whether the inherited mutation is helpful,
neutral or harmful to the organism and their
reproductive success, given the environment in which
the organism lives.
2. State why the mutation is helpful or harmful in that
environment.
3. State whether the mutation will be passed down to
offspring and why.
www.BioEdOnline.org
Mutated Frog
www.BioEdOnline.org
Albino Peacock
www.BioEdOnline.org
Lack of Fingerprints
www.BioEdOnline.org
Pink Dolphin
www.BioEdOnline.org
Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria




1. Antibiotics attack and kill off
bacteria without the mutation.
2. The mutated ones survive
after the antibiotics are gone.
3.They reproduce, passing
along the mutation to their
offspring.
4. Eventually there are more
antibiotic resistant bacteria
than non resistant bacteria.
www.BioEdOnline.org
Chamomile Flower
www.BioEdOnline.org
Extra Digit ( 1 in 500 Births)
www.BioEdOnline.org
Webbed Fingers
www.BioEdOnline.org
Michael Phelps (Winner of 8 Olympic Gold Medals)
www.BioEdOnline.org
How could Michael Phelps possibly be mutated?









Here's what Phelps has going for him:
Most people have a wingspan that matches their height. Not Phelps. He may be
6'4" tall, but his arms extend outward to a total of 6'7".
The average shoe size for a person the size of Phelps is 12; he wears a size 14
which gives him a 10% advantage over the competition.
He also has a larger than average hand size which allows him to move more
water.
Phelps is double-jointed in the chest area; this enables him to extend his arms
higher above his head and pull down at an angle that increases his efficiency
through the water by as much as 20%; this also allows him to have quicker starts
and turns.
He has proportionately short legs relative to his long, powerful trunk; this large
upper body is the engine that powers his long arms. Moreover, his unique
physique reduces drag through the water and allows for maximum propulsion.
Phelps has a greater-than-average lung capacity allowing him to execute his
underwater dolphin kicks longer than the competition.
He has a genetic advantage that cause his muscles to produce 50% less lactic acid
than other athletes. This means he can work at higher work loads for longer
periods.
With a low body fat of 4%, he is better able to convert his effort into speed.
www.BioEdOnline.org
Peppered Moths
www.BioEdOnline.org
Tear Duct Valve Mutation
www.BioEdOnline.org