Chapter 5 of 10All chapters
Chapter 5 of 10
Mutation and variation
Where new versions come from.
Copying errors
DNA replication is extraordinarily accurate and not perfect. Most mutations are neutral, some are harmful, and a rare few are useful in a particular environment.
- Radiation and some chemicals raise the rate.
- Mutations in body cells affect only that individual; only those in sex cells are inherited.
Why variation matters
A population with no variation cannot adapt to anything new. Variation is the raw material that selection acts on, which links genetics directly to evolution.