genetic mutation of fruits and plants

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Genetic Mutation in Plants and Fruits

Genetic mutation can be defined as alterations that occur to the nucleotide sequence of DNA or RNA material of a plant or organism Mutations can occur as result of errors during cell division or it can be caused exposure to a variety of mutagens . Somatic mutations in plants can be transmitted to descendants either through sexual or asexual reproduction . Mutations are known to create a variation in the gene pool . Unfavorable mutations are reduced by natural selection while

br favorable mutations are accumulated for adaptive evolution . Mutations not only alter the expression of genes but also a change in the gene product . Alterations may sometime be visible like change of a fruit shape , fruit color or it may change a physiological process . It is generally accepted that mutation is a very weak force in changing allele frequencies but a strong force in the introduction of new alleles Mutation also creates new genotypes . Variation caused by mutation is very important in evolution . Natural selection in plant systems is a directional process that increases the frequencies of genes acquired by mutation . Plant resistance alleles on the other hand are increased through co evolution . This tries to outline genetic mutation in plants with special emphasis on the variation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ) size

Discussion

Variations of tomato size between those that we buy in the grocery and those in the wild can be associated with the mutation caused in the fasciated gene . The expression of the gene puts a lid on the growth of the tomato by limiting the compartmentalization to a certain number . A couple of mutations occurred in the course of evolution causing the presence of the tomatoes we see today . The tomatoes are more than one thousand times bigger than the ones that are found in the wild . Apart from the compartmentalization the genes also control the number of these seed bearing compartments , an increase of the seed bearing compartments lead to the development of a bigger fruit . When mutation occurs the gene fasciated when expressed lead to an increase in the number of compartments , scientists have been able to use this knowledge and hence breed bigger varieties of tomatoes . In addition to the increase in size cultivators have been able to improve the shape , flavor , increase shelf life and improve on constituent nutrient composition of tomatoes However to conclusively isolate and study these traits has been difficult because many genes are involved in the action . These genes are located together in close proximity . In the chromosome there are regions called loci . Regions located together and express a single trait as in this case , are referred to as quantitative trait loci (QTLs HYPERLINK "http /www .sciam .com /podcast /episode .cfm ?id 02E1BC1E-CED4-A1E5-853CE5A1 D1D3AA4C http /www .sciam .com /podcast /episode .cfm ?id 02E1BC1E-CED4-A1E5-853CE5A1D 1D3AA4C

With genome sequencing and other genomic tools , these regions can be mapped and subjected to cloning with relative efficiency . Using these maps other related genes can...