This document discusses mutation, which is a change in the nucleotide sequence of an organism's genome. There are several types of mutations, including substitution, insertion, inversion, and deletion. Mutations can occur spontaneously due to processes like tautomerism, depurination, and deamination, or can be induced by mutagenic agents like radiation, chemicals, and base analogs. Examples of genetic disorders caused by mutations in humans are Down syndrome, which results from an extra copy of chromosome 21, Edwards syndrome from an extra copy of chromosome 18, and Patau syndrome involving extra genetic material from chromosome 13.