Describe the possible effects of a mutation on an organism. Describe an example for each effect you mention.

utations can either be autosomal or gamete related mutations. Autosomal mutations have little or no effect on the organism and the body has several mechanisms of dealing with such mutations. Gamete mutations are those which occur during gametogenesis, these mutations can therefore be inherited from parent to offspring. These mutations usually change the phenotype of an organ or of the whole organism. Such mutations are usually the main cause of certain diseases. Examples of diseases caused by gamete mutations are albinism and sickle cell anaemia. Autosomal mutations are the main cause of cancers. Cancers develop when the body fails to destroy certain mutated cells, and these cells multiply and pass the mutated genes to one another.