will mutation play a vital role in the evolution of species in the coming 100 years?

Answer 1

Any mutation you see in the next 100 years would be so small as to be imperceptible. Make that 10000 years and yes you would notice the changes.

Answer 2

Mutations are part of the evolutionary process; every change in any species is a mutation. If the mutation is favorable to the propogation and/or survival of a species, we call that "adaptation". If the mutation causes the extinction of the species, I suppose we'd call that a negative mutation, or perhaps a "bummer".

But as any science textbook will tell you, mutations/adaptation/evolution takes much more than 100 years to be noticeable, or to see any advantage/disadvantage it causes.

So will mutation play a vital role in the evolution of species? Absolutely. In the coming 100 years? Yes--in the sense that the changes have begun and are taking place in every future generation.

Any current changes are so small it is incredibly difficult to see/notice. We just won't be around to see them.

I hope that makes sense.

Answer 3

Vital role implies "positive role," 100 years is simply not enough time for adaptation to occur.

But as for the negative, look at amphibians in the northern states. Not only are they dying out, but they are being altered genetically by the pollution, hence the extra legs, etc...mutations, as you say. But this is not a viable outcome, many are sterile and cannot pass those genes or any others on. So mutation is often a dead end.

The evolution of species will continue, but not solely governed by natural selection. Humans make such substantial changes to their environments that what lives from here on out will be as a result of a conscious effort at preservation or that the species in question is capable of surviving in the current state of things.

Answer 4

I think that memes play a more important role than mutation.

Answer 5

Lots of mutants out there today!