What is the Difference Between Mutation and Polymorphism?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between mutation and polymorphism lies in the nature and frequency of the genetic changes they represent.
Mutation:
- A mutation is a heritable and often deleterious change in a DNA sequence or a gene.
- Mutations can lead to the development of or increased susceptibility to diseases.
- They are usually considered rare changes in the DNA sequence.
- Mutations can be classified as neutral, deleterious, or beneficial, depending on their effect on the organism.
Polymorphism:
- A polymorphism is a DNA sequence variation that is common in the population.
- Polymorphisms are thought to have no apparent functional significance.
- They are the most common and dynamic form of genetic variation present, resulting in distinct phenotypes in the same population.
- Polymorphisms can influence characteristics such as height and hair color, but usually do not cause overt debilitating diseases.
In summary, mutations are often considered rare, potentially deleterious changes in the DNA sequence, while polymorphisms are common, usually neutral variations in the DNA sequence that can influence various phenotypes within a population.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Mutation and Polymorphism? Comparative Table: Mutation vs Polymorphism
Comparative Table: Mutation vs Polymorphism
Here is a table comparing the differences between mutations and polymorphisms:
| Feature | Mutation | Polymorphism |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A change in the DNA sequence, whether it has a phenotypic correlate or not. | A common variant within the population, existing in multiple copies. |
| Frequency | Rare. | Common within the population. |
| Origin | Caused by factors such as errors in DNA replication, radiation, or toxins. | Developed within a population and can become fixated through natural selection. |
| Phenotype | Can lead to changes in an individual's phenotype, sometimes causing diseases or other abnormalities. | Can result in different phenotypes, such as eye color variations. |
| Functional Significance | Can be deleterious, leading to diseases or increased susceptibility to diseases. | Can be neutral, having no apparent functional significance. |
| Inheritance | Inheritable if it affects the germ line, but not necessarily inherited. | Can be inherited and become fixed within a population. |
In summary, mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that can have various effects on an organism, while polymorphisms are common variants within a population that may result in different phenotypes but do not necessarily have a negative impact on the organism's health.
Read more:
- Polymorphism vs Amorphism
- Isomorphism vs Polymorphism
- Polymorphism vs Inheritance
- SNP vs Mutation
- Polymorphism vs Inheritance in OOP
- Polymorphism vs Allotropy
- Mutation vs Mutagen
- Mutation vs Recombination
- DNA Damage vs Mutation
- Gene Mutation vs Chromosome Mutation
- Wild Type vs Mutant Type
- Transient vs Balanced Polymorphism
- Point Mutation vs Chromosomal Mutation
- Mutation Rate vs Substitution Rate
- Germline Mutation vs Somatic Mutation
- Aneuploidy vs Polyploidy
- Frameshift Mutation vs Point Mutation
- Genotype vs Phenotype
- Point Mutations vs Indels