Genetic Variants

Genetic variants are different forms of the same gene that are found at the same place on a chromosome.
These are also referred to as alleles and can result in different characteristics in individuals carrying different variants.
For example, human eye colour is influenced by genetic variants – different alleles can result in blue, green, or brown eyes.

How Genetic Variants Occur

Genetic variants arise through a process called mutation, which involves changes in the DNA sequence.
These changes can be small, affecting just one or few nucleotides, or large, affecting a longer segment of DNA.
Mutations can be caused by errors during DNA replication, exposure to radiation or certain chemicals, or can even occur randomly.

Impact of Genetic Variants on Organism Traits

Different genetic variants can cause variation in traits, contributing to the diversity we see within species.
Some genetic variants have no noticeable effect on the organism.
Other variants can result in observable changes, for example in physical traits like eye colour, or physiological traits like blood type.
Certain variants can confer an advantage or disadvantage in specific environments – these are subject to the process of natural selection.

Genetic Disorders and Variants

Sometimes, certain genetic variants can cause genetic disorders.
For instance, the disease cystic fibrosis is caused by a variant in a gene called CFTR.
Genetic variants can also influence an individual’s susceptibility to certain diseases.
Understanding the roles of different genetic variants allows scientists to develop targeted treatments for genetic diseases.

This closes the key points on Genetic Variants. Make sure you comprehend how genetic variants arise and their impacts on traits and genetic disorders.