What is mosaicism?

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Definition of Mosaicism**:
- Mosaicism refers to a condition where an individual has two or more genetically different cell lines within their body. This means that not all cells have the same genetic makeup.

2. **Occurrence of Mosaicism**:
- Mosaicism occurs when a mutation happens in a single cell during early development. As that cell divides, it creates a population of cells that carry the mutation, while other cells remain unaffected.

3. **Example of Mosaicism**:
- For instance, in a body with many cells, most of the cells may have a specific genetic component (let's say they are all blue). However, a few cells (marked as yellow) may have a different genetic component due to the mutation. This results in a mixture of cell types within the organism.

4. **Significance of Mosaicism**:
- The presence of genetically different cells can have various implications for health, development, and disease. Some forms of mosaicism can lead to conditions like Turner syndrome or certain cancers.

5. **Visual Representation**:
- Imagine a diagram where most cells are colored blue, representing the normal genetic makeup, while a few cells are colored yellow, indicating the presence of a different genetic component. This visual helps in understanding the concept of mosaicism.