What is inherited mutation

Genetic disorders caused by mutations in a single gene are called monogenic. These disorders can be autosomal —meaning the mutation is on any of the autosomes shown here in orange—or sex-linked —meaning the mutation is on the X or Y chromosome, shown here in pink and blue. These mutations can be trickier because, depending on the sex, the chromosome pairs are not the same. Men are XY, women are XX.

Some Y-chromosome mutations can cause absent or low sperm counts. These mutations can be passed down from fathers to sons. Like autosomal mutations, X-linked diseases can be recessive or dominant. This is important, because in the case of X-linked recessive conditions , such as hemophilia, the chance of a child having the disease is different for boys and girls.

Citation: Loewe, L. Nature Education 1 1 Is it possible to have "too many" mutations? What about "too few"? While mutations are necessary for evolution, they can damage existing adaptations as well. Aa Aa Aa. What is a mutation? Are Mutations Random? Types of Mutations. Effects of Mutations. Estimating Rates of Mutation.

References and Recommended Reading Drake, J. Genetics , — Eyre-Walker, A. Biology Letters 2 , — Lynch, M. Evolution 53 , — Orr, H. Article History Close. Share Cancel. Revoke Cancel. Keywords Keywords for this Article. Save Cancel. Flag Inappropriate The Content is: Objectionable. Flag Content Cancel. Email your Friend. Submit Cancel. This content is currently under construction. Explore This Subject. Applications in Biotechnology.

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Change LearnCast Settings. Scitable Chat. Mutations are rare. You get half of your genes from your mother and half from your father. Inherited gene mutations known to increase the risk of breast cancer are rare in the general population. In the U. Everyone has these genes. But some people have an inherited mutation in one or both genes that increases the risk of breast cancer. Prevalence varies by ethnic group. By age 70, the chance of developing breast cancer is [ 3,28,,, ]:.

However, note these risks are not percent. A combination of factors likely causes breast cancer. However, data are limited and these topics are still under study. Learn about risk-reducing options for women at higher risk. Learn about genetic testing. Men who have a BRCA2 mutation, and to a lesser degree, men who have a BRCA1 mutation, have an increased risk of breast cancer [ ,31,36,, ]. Learn more about breast cancer in men. Some also increase the risk of other cancers.

The lifetime risk of breast cancer is increased percent for women with moderate-risk gene mutations and 50 percent or higher for women with high-risk gene mutations. The table below provides a summary of high-risk and moderate-risk inherited gene mutations. Some of these gene mutations have only recently been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer. Data on these mutations and their related cancer risks are still emerging and will likely change over time.

In general, having a mutation in any of these genes leads to special breast cancer screening recommendations. Adapted from selected sources [ 28,, ]. Some gene mutations are related to certain breast cancers.