What are the differences between mutation and recombination?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Mutation

Recombination

Definition

Is an alteration in the nucleotide sequence of a gene or chromosome

Is a process that breaks and recombines DNA segments to create new nucleotide rearrangements

Causes

May be caused by chemicals, radiation, or erroneous replication

Is an enzyme controlled mechanism that usually occurs naturally

Result

Results in an alteration in the genome’s nucleotide sequence, which changes the genome on a massive scale

Results in rearrangement of a chromosomal segment, which causes minor changes to the genome

Location

May occur at random places of the genome

Is usually location specific

Occurrence

Can occur at any time

Occurs during cell division

Copying genes

Does not copy genes

May copy genes in the genome

Repairing

May be repaired by the cell’s repair systems

Is sometimes a repair process

Types

Point mutation
Frameshift mutation

Crossover recombination
Non-crossover recombination

Basis of differentiation	Mutation	Recombination
Definition	Is an alteration in the nucleotide sequence of a gene or chromosome	Is a process that breaks and recombines DNA segments to create new nucleotide rearrangements
Causes	May be caused by chemicals, radiation, or erroneous replication	Is an enzyme controlled mechanism that usually occurs naturally
Result	Results in an alteration in the genome’s nucleotide sequence, which changes the genome on a massive scale	Results in rearrangement of a chromosomal segment, which causes minor changes to the genome
Location	May occur at random places of the genome	Is usually location specific
Occurrence	Can occur at any time	Occurs during cell division
Copying genes	Does not copy genes	May copy genes in the genome
Repairing	May be repaired by the cell’s repair systems	Is sometimes a repair process
Types	Point mutation Frameshift mutation	Crossover recombination Non-crossover recombination