most common form of mutation
point mutation
mutations are usually bad but sometimes they are blank
beneficial
just a small error in dna replication
point mutation
arise without exposure to external agents
spontaneous mutations
pretty serious mutation where a new codon is inserted causing every codon past it to be wrong
frameshift
some physical and chemical agents that directly damage DNA
mutagens
structurally similar to normal bases
base analogs
alter a base causing it to mispair
DNA modifying agents