A genetic mutation is a permanent change in the sequence of the DNA that makes up a gene. A mutation of these sorts can be caused by either inheritance from the parent or caused sometime during the life of someone. The mutation that has been inherited is called a germline mutation. Germline mutations affect virtually the entire body, and they seem to be present in every cell. A somatic mutation, or one that is caused in the DNA of a single cell sometime during the life, can be caused by an environmental factor or a wrong bonding in the DNA molecule. These cannot be passed down to the next generation of children because they occur in a specific cell as opposed to in a reproductive cell. Some mutations occur in the embryo as it is growing. These may occur during cell division, and some of the cells may or may not inherit this mutation. Those that occur in more than one percent across a population are considered polymorphisms. Polymorphisms are considered normal variations in DNA, and they are known to cause simple changes such as variations in blood types and hair color. Some mutations are extremely rare, and others are incredibly common.

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