1. Causes of Mutations
Activity 2

2. Causes of Mutations Mutations usually occur in two different ways
1. Randomly
2. Due to something in the environment an organism is exposed to during its lifetime
The exposure to the chemical or radiation breaks down the DNA
Environmental factors include an organism being exposed to toxic chemicals or some type of radiation
Example: Long exposure out in the sun can lead to skin cancer

3. Inherited versus Acquired
Mutations can either be inherited or acquired
Inherited Mutations:
These mutations are passed from parent to offspring
Mutation occurs in the gametes (sex cells)
Acquired Mutations:
NOT passed from parent to offspring
Occur in the body cells
The organism develops mutation at some point in their life time
Due to exposure to some factor in the environment

4. Facts: Sickle Cell Anemia
An example of an inherited mutation
Individual only gets the disease if he/she receives the sickle cell gene from BOTH parents
Caused by a substitution of thymine for adenine.
Most commonly found in African Americans
1 out of 400 African Americans have sickle cell anemia
Symptoms
severe pain limiting activity of the individual and can lead to death

5. Due to the substitution, the protein hemoglobin loses its shape
Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells
Its job (function) is to carry oxygen to the cells

7. Article: Managing Sickle Cell Anemia
Directions: Read the following article about managing sickle cell anemia.
Respond to the following questions DURING your reading of the article:
How has medicine been able to better manage individuals with sickle cell anemia?
Respond to the following question AFTER you read the article:
How does the shape of hemoglobin affect the overall function of blood cells? How about the ability of the body to maintain homeostasis?

8. Finished Early? Using your knowledge about mutations:
How is it that a mutation can lead to disease or death?