Difference between Wild Type and Mutant Type
Wild type and mutant type are two different classes of phenotypic characteristics in organisms but many believe that these two terms are related. You can only know about mutant species types after understanding in detail about the various wild type. It is important to understand the main difference between wild type and mutant type.
The basic difference between these two terms is the set of genes in the species. The phenotype expressed in gene or set of genes within a species is called wild type while mutant type is a phenotype that is a result of mutation. Variation in the wild type and mutant type are based on the population and geographical causes as well. This is basically the main difference between wild type and mutant type phenotypic characteristics.
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Wild type
Wild type is the phenotype in a particular gene or set of genes in a species. The wild types are also very common in different phenotype of a particular species. Though its favoured by natural selection but it is most abundant phenotype among particular species. Earlier these phenotypes were expressed normal allele at a locus but with development of research, the tendency of these most prevalent phenotype vary because they have natural trend to vary from geographical or the environmental changes all across the world. With these characteristic, the phenotypes were largely called as wild type. In animals, you can clearly see wild types genes. In Bengal Tigers, the golden yellowish fur along with black strips is due to the dominance of the wild types of phenotypes. Not only in Bengal Tigers, but in Leopards and Jaguars are also describe as prime examples of wild type.
- Image Courtesy: openi.nlm.nih.gov
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Mutant type
Resulted of a mutation, the phenotype is called mutant type. Usually it is considered that except wild type, all the types are mutant types. In a set of population, there are many mutant types. Taking examples from animals, a total white coloured Tiger is mutant type. Panthers are melanistic form of mutant types. The process of evolution is higher in mutant types. People related to animal studies also give great importance to mutant types as they provide lots of material for research. Being able to study the evolutionary process in mutant types makes them very popular amongst scientists. The tendency to form another species with same characteristics is also a big important point in mutant types. In mutant types, you will find less genetic disorder as well.
- Image Courtesy: sciencedirect.com
