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Mutation, a copying error in the replication of DNA, can give rise to variation in an organisms phenotype and if this new phenotype is beneficial to survival and reproductive success ( as little as 1% ) it will be selected naturally against the immediate environment, then if this so selected organism leave many descendents with the same beneficial traits then the populations gene pool will change in allele frequency and you have evolution.

( a 19th century sentence Darwin would be proud of! )

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How does natural selection affect the frequency of mutatons?

Natural selection works on mutations that are already in place. The environmental changes will select for certain mutations if the selective pressure is supplied long enough for several generations of offspring to carry a higher percentage of the mutation.


Which is not a way in which natural selection affects the distributions of phenotypes?

Mutation is not a way in which natural selection affects the distributions of phenotypes. Mutations introduce new genetic variations, which can then be acted upon by natural selection to influence the distribution of phenotypes within a population.


Are new alleles made by natural selection?

No - natural selection does not create new alleles. Variation in alleles needs to exist in the population in order for natural selection to occur. Natural selection will involve the change in allele frequencies over time, but it does not create new alleles. New alleles are the result of mutations.


How do mutations relate to traits?

Mutations cause certain traits.


How is change by natural selection different from change due to a mutation?

Change by natural selection occurs when certain traits provide a survival or reproductive advantage in a given environment, leading to those traits becoming more common in a population over generations. In contrast, a mutation is a random change in an organism's DNA that can introduce new traits. While mutations are the source of genetic variation, natural selection acts on that variation, favoring beneficial mutations and weeding out harmful ones. Thus, mutations are the raw material for evolution, while natural selection is the mechanism that drives adaptive change.

Related Questions

Natural selection is due to?

beneficial mutations


Which mutations are NOT subject to natural selection - lethal physiological neutral or morphological?

Neutral mutations confer no benefits or handicaps and are therefore not affected by natural selection.


How does slow change over time occur genetically?

Through mutations in DNA, and natural selection of advantageous mutations.


What are the pressures of natural selection?

Everything from available food to climate will cause the changes we see in natural selection. Random mutations occur constantly and when those mutations are beneficial for life, the genetic code is more likely to be passed on to future generations.


How does natural selection affect the frequency of mutatons?

Natural selection works on mutations that are already in place. The environmental changes will select for certain mutations if the selective pressure is supplied long enough for several generations of offspring to carry a higher percentage of the mutation.


Which is not a way in which natural selection affects the distributions of phenotypes?

Mutation is not a way in which natural selection affects the distributions of phenotypes. Mutations introduce new genetic variations, which can then be acted upon by natural selection to influence the distribution of phenotypes within a population.


Relate natural selection to the beak sizes of finches?

The numbers of birds with different beak shapes are changed by natural selection in response to the available food suply.


Are new alleles made by natural selection?

No - natural selection does not create new alleles. Variation in alleles needs to exist in the population in order for natural selection to occur. Natural selection will involve the change in allele frequencies over time, but it does not create new alleles. New alleles are the result of mutations.


Explain the role of mutations in evolution?

Mutations are the material upon which natural selection acts. Evolution is a two sided coin. One side is mutation; the other side is natural selection. Without mutation there is no significant variation. Mutations are, however, ubiquitous. Every organism is a mutant. Evolution can be summarized as the non random survival of randomly varying replicators.


How do mutations relate to traits?

Mutations cause certain traits.


Why are mutations and conjugation important for natural selection in prokaryotes?

Becauase they need to adapt to the new environment to enter the bodies


How does natural selection affect variation?

Variation naturally occurs in populations as new traits arise from random mutations. However, through natural selection only those traits that are beneficial to the organism are passed on to the next generation. Any harmful mutations are naturally weeded out.