Explain the concepts of DNA polymorphism?
DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid is the polymer of nucleotides present in the nucleus of a cell. It houses all the genetic information for cellular functions and structure and is also passed down from one generation to the next generation.
Polymorphism is defined as the presence of different forms or morphs. When the different forms of a nucleotide stretch are present in a population or an organism (diploid, triploid or having more ploidy level), it is termed as DNA polymorphism.
The presence of two different alleles of a gene is an example of DNA polymorphism. The variation in the nucleotide sequence can be a single base pair of a stretch of base pairs. This may arise due to factors like mutation occurring during the time of DNA replication. Such changes in the nucleotide sequence are accumulated and passed on from one to next-generation resulting in the presence of an altered form of a nucleotide stretch in a population.
When such changes occur in the genes controlling phenotype of the organism, it can be seen in from its outer appearance. Examples of DNA polymorphism include different blood types, and black jaguar and light-morph jaguar.
Step by step
Solved in 3 steps
