BIOCHEM 210 – Biochemical Basis of Genetics

Learning Unit IV Elective – Francisco M. Heralde III, MSc, PhD

Reflection Paper on Mutation – Documentary Films – Science of Survival

Ronneil S. Bilbao1
1
Calderon Hall, University of the Philippines College of Medicine, 547 Pedro Gil St., Ermita, Manila, NCR

A pivotal shift in the way the human species views the natural world is the concept of the diversity of species as dynamic.
The mechanisms which characterize this dynamism are as subtle as the changes manifested in the species themselves. Yet
the human species have found a way to unravel the fundamental principles behind these mechanisms and extrapolate on
logical progression of the principles. Naturally, the only thing that resulted was a whole new batch of questions from the
answers that were gathered.

Inside the information center of the cell – which is the nucleus – lies the genome of the organism, composed of
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). This biomolecule serves as a template for mechanisms that translate the information stored
within the DNA into proteins that serve a wide array of functions. Yet it is interesting that the DNA does not serve as a
‘passive’ template. The information can be altered in many ways, which affect the way it is translated. For this to happen,
changes in the fundamental sequence must be made through mutation. And of course, society is all too familiar with
mutation, what with the lore associated with it.

But to think of mutation as a driving force behind the eventual survival of species throughout time is a paradigm in and of
itself. Harsh external forces and environmental conditions have effectively eliminated organisms whose phenotype proved
to be unsuccessful in ensuring the survival of organisms. The converse also holds true, as only those organisms whose
phenotypes rendered them the competitive advantage were able to survive and prosper in these adverse conditions. But
how do these phenotypes come about in the first place. To some degree, mutations occur in organisms randomly, giving
rise to different phenotypes. The difference between these phenotypes can be subtle or stark, and eventually became
one of the clearest metric to categorize organisms as belonging to one species or another.

It is a compelling interest for any biologist and enthusiast to be able to understand this basic principle. It serves as the
basis of understanding other mechanisms such as natural selection. Essentially, mutations have equipped organisms with
the necessary competitive advantage to eventually overtake other competitors in the face of adverse environmental
conditions. Looking at it beyond the level of the organism into the level of the population, it is truly the survival of the
fittest. Other mechanisms such as heredity and differential reproduction contribute to the way populations and species
change over time the same way as mutation and natural variation do. This succession of species that thrive in an ecosystem
over time has set the course of natural history.

It is also of equally compelling interest to view mutation as other than a biologically beneficial mechanism. There are silent
mutations that do not manifest changes. Then there are deleterious mutations, where altered protein structures manifest
as diseases and defects in the phenotype. These abnormalities are the topic of many medical researches, aimed at
rectifying the errors even at the genetic sequence.

As a final word, an appreciation of mutation as a powerful biological mechanism has allowed a whole new way to perceive
the natural world. For such small changes in the genetic sequence to manifest as real alterations has allowed organisms
to become the fittest, and of course survive.