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Why are most mutations recessive?

Updated: 8/9/2023
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13y ago

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Mutations are changes in the DNA. A mutation can change a gene slightly,

giving a different allele. The new allele can code for a slightly

different protein. If the normal allele codes for an active enzyme, the

new allele may still code for the same active enzyme, may code for an

inactive protein, or may code for an active enzyme that catalyzes a

different reaction. Of these options, coding for the same active enzyme

may be the most common, but then we don't usually notice there's been a

mutation. Coding for an inactive protein is the next most likely outcome.

So, most of the time when there is a mutation that produces any noticeable

effect at all, it produces an allele that codes for an inactive protein. A

heterozygote Aa produces some active enzyme and some inactive protein.

Most often, one "dose" of active enzyme catalyzes the normal reaction

enough to produce a normal appearance, so we say that the allele A is

dominant, and the mutant allele a is recessive.

There are plenty of exceptions. Certain types of dwarfism in humans are

caused by a dominant mutant allele, for instance. Still, it's probably

true that the majority of mutant alleles are recessive.

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13y ago
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13y ago

If these genetic disorders were to be caused by homozygous alleles they would selected against and would be removed from the population. The recessive alleles can remain hidden in heterozygotes.

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12y ago

Because if they are recessive, someone with one recessive copy of the gene is able to pass it on without knowing. The onlydominant genetic diseases are non-fatal before childbearing age (like achrondoplasia or Huntington's Disease).

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12y ago

Because recessive alleles can easily be passed through generations without killing the carrier. If a genetic disease was caused by a dominant allele, every person with the gene would be affected with the disease. When the genetic disease is recessive, the two parents can both be carriers (heterzygotes) without being affected. This makes it easier to the genes to keep being passed on. Also, see alternation of generations.

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16y ago

Dominant lethal diseases most often result in death before the carrier can pass it on.

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12y ago

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Q: Why are most mutations recessive?
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