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A mutation changes the DNA of an organism in a way that affects its offspring, either immediately or several generations down the line.
The change brought about by a mutation is either beneficial, harmful or neutral.
If the change is harmful, then it is unlikely that the offspring will survive to reproduce, so the mutation dies out and goes nowhere.
If the change is beneficial, which is a rare occurrence, then it is likely that the offspring will do better than other offspring and so will reproduce more.
Once the mutation has manifested itself for the better in the offspring, through natural selection the offspring will mate more and create a new generation with the same manifested mutation. Only at this point can we say that the species has evolved since not all mutations are fruitful and create a new generation with better or different characteristics. In fact most mutations are harmful and thus do not evolve which is why the process of evolution is very slow.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoNatural selection, while in itself not producing novel genetic sequences, is an inevitable part of evolution, favouring from novel genetic sequences those that are reproductively more successful.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoMutations can and do cause evolution. The occurrence of genetic variation in reproduction is one of two driving factors in evolution, the other being natural selection.
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If genetic mutation almost always leads to sterilization and death then how can evolution be true?
Genetic mutation does not always lead to sterilization as you point out. This however is not the way evolution happens. Evolution occurs mainly through small adaptive changes over a long period of time that are not mutations. Evolution does not happen suddenly.
What process thought to have changed the genetic code over billion years ago?
Basically, random mutation and natural selection. With a little genetic drift and gene flow thrown into the mix. Evolution, the change in allele frequency over time in a population of organisms.
Why will intermingling affect human evolution?
Intermingling with what? Humans are all one species, though there are popilational variances. Perhaps if there was a mutation in one of those populations that was beneficial and could drive itself into the wider human gene pool, then maybe.
Evolution is the gradual change in phenotype frequency of a species what process causes evolution?
Mutation, genetic drift, gene flow and the driver of adaptive change, natural selection.
What type of disease is when one cell mutates?
it's normal for cells to mutate. Mutation is what made evolution possible. Of course you should not get enough mutation to get cancer. Mutation can also cause disease and cancer, so it can also be a bad thing.
Can mutation cause evolution?
not by itself
Why is mutation important to spectation?
Without mutation there can be no evolution. Without evolution there can be no speciation.
Why can mutation affect evolution?
Mutation is the cause of evolution. Mutation is what creates differences in individuals within a species, leading to diversion. Then "survival of the fittest" can occur.
Does mutation depend on evolution?
The mutation theory is basically stating that mutation is one of the major factors that cause evolution. The mutation has to be a beneficial mutation, meaning that it has to help the survival of the organism that got the mutation. The mutation causes knew genes and diversity which can spread quickly throughout a population and eventually change the frequency of alleles (causes mutation) Remember the mutation has to be beneficial to the survival of the organism.
What is mutation and how is it related to evolution?
A mutation is any change in the DNA. Mutations provide the genetic variation that evolution by natural selection needs to select from.
What is a mutation and how does it relate to evolution?
A mutation is any change in the DNA. Mutations provide the genetic variation that evolution by natural selection needs to select from.
Is gene mutation within a species know as micro evolution?
Genetic mutation is one of the mechanisms for evolution.Micro-evolution by definition means very small changes in allele frequency (gene mutation).
For a mutation to affect evolution it must occur in?
For a mutation to affect evolution it must occur in the dominant allele. This allele is what is passed on.
What is the main force causing evolution?
Cell mutation
How can mutation affect evolution?
Mutation can serve up the raw variation that natural selection selects from, thus alleles are changed over time in populations of organisms; evolution.
What two factors are responsible for evolution?
Mutation and natural selection.
What are genetic mutation and natural selection?
Together, genetic mutation and natural selection determine in what 'direction' evolution proceeds.
