mutations
number of breaks: 3
Tobacco smoking and other exposures shut off cancer-fighting genes
Cancer is a genetic disease caused by mutations in DNA. Most mutations are substitutions of single nucleotides, the basic building blocks of DNA. Mutations occur over time due to natural processes like faulty DNA repair or from external sources like ultraviolet light. Researchers have discovered... click to read more
Mutations in the germline: How the mother repairs the father’s damaged genome
The genome is passed on from generation to generation. Germ cells, which are sperm and egg cells and any precursory cells they developed from, are tasked with maintaining the genomes. These cells are fundamental for maintaining the genomes across generations. The DNA, however, can be... click to read more
The mutation that allowed our brain to grow
During human evolution, one of the most remarkable events was the expansion of the upper layer of the brain: the so-called neocortex. This event took place about 2 million years ago and allowed us to develop the cognitive abilities that characterize modern day humans. In... click to read more
Editor's picks
Trending now
Popular topics