Structural Variation in Genetics: Definition, Examples, and Impact

Structural variation refers to the differences or changes in the organization or arrangement of genetic material between individuals or species. This can involve changes in the number, size, or arrangement of chromosomes, or alterations in the sequence or position of genes within a chromosome. Structural variations can have a significant impact on an organism's phenotype and can contribute to genetic diversity within and between populations. Examples of structural variations include deletions, duplications, inversions, translocations, and chromosomal fusions or fissions.