eds
Well-Known Member
Nice comments eds. Now ------- regarding the amount of mutation ---- that will be linked to location too. Because eventually - one could assume that given a long enough time, eventually something is going to happen in a particular location. Amount also involves time, linked to rate.
Absolutely but given the length of the genome it is more likely that there won't be a mutation just where you want it, rather than there being one!
Also the cell nucleus tends to pack the more important coding sections of DNA nearer the centre so any radiation has to pass through the junk DNA first, protecting important genes and also the cell machinery to repair DNA will concentrate on protecting these vital areas too reducing the mutation rate.
And organisms that grow faster have more cell division so higher rates of mutation (as will areas of your body that grow / repair faster).
And if you will in an area of higher mutagenic influence (not just nuclear reactors...!) you can have a higher rate of mutation.
So the rate of mutation varies a lot but with some known markers in time, a lot of statistics and a bit of luck (or educated guessing) you can average it out onto a usable bit of information.
And if you've want to create mutations you can't really do much about the cells protection but you can increase its exposure to mutagenic elements. As I understand some people have done to some succulents in parts of the world to cause some bizarre mutations.