this is bit is about evolution!?

Question

describe what a mutation is?
how can this lead to variation or changes in a species?
how can this cause evolution?
how does an organism evolve to fit in with its surroundings?

Answer 1

A mutation is a change in the genetic code (DNA) of an organism

Mutations can cause changes in proteins, if they occur in coding regions of genes. Changes in proteins can cause changes in phenotypes....

If the change in the phenotype is significant enough to be selectable, meaning it causes the fitness of the mutant to be higher or lower than that of the organisms the mutant has to compete with, then natural selection will occur, which is the basis of evolution.

The individuals that "fit in" best with their surroudings are often the most fit, therefore they become the most common representatives in the population by means of natural selection.

Answer 2

Mutations are the result of an error during DNA synthesis. They result in a change in the way that DNA is read, the protein that is synthesized as a result. When the protein is different, it's function is better/worse/new (usually worse). If the change offers an advantage, that organism is more likely to live (and reproduce) than one without the advantage. Over time, organisms with the advantage begin to outnumber those without it. Hence, the species has evolved.

A great example is a moth in industrial england. White moths were common. Then came the industrial revolution (and ZERO pollution control) and black soot was everywhere. White moths became easy targets for birds against the black background. Spontaneous mutations which occasionally led to black moths occured, and the black moths did much better. There were only black moths now.

When pollution controls came into effect the black moths evolved back into white moths.

Answer 3

A mutation is a change at a genetic level.

The mutation is literally a change in the set of instructions which dictates how a trait will manifest.

The mutation IS evolution.

There is variation in any group of living things. If you expose enough people to a particular strain of deadly virus, most of those people will die, but due to variation, which may be spontaneous in nature, some of those people will live. The ones who lived will be able to pass on their genes and the next generation will likely be resistant to the virus, if we assume that same exact strain.

Answer 4

In biology, mutations are changes to the base pair sequence of genetic material (either DNA or RNA). Mutations can be caused by copying errors in the genetic material during cell division and by exposure to ultraviolet or ionizing radiation, chemical mutagens, or viruses, or can occur deliberately under cellular control during processes such as meiosis or hypermutation. In multicellular organisms, mutations can be subdivided into germline mutations, which can be passed on to descendants, and somatic mutations. The somatic mutations cannot be transmitted to descendants in animals. Plants sometimes can transmit somatic mutations to their descendants asexually or sexually (in case when flower buds develop in somatically mutated part of plant).

Mutations create variation in the gene pool, and the less favorable (or deleterious) mutations are removed from the gene pool by natural selection, while more favorable (beneficial or advantageous) ones tend to accumulate, resulting in evolutionary change. Neutral mutations are defined as mutations whose effects do not influence the fitness of either the species or the individuals who make up the species. These can accumulate over time due to genetic drift. The overwhelming majority of mutations have no significant effect, since DNA repair is able to mend most changes before they become permanent mutations, and many organisms have mechanisms for eliminating otherwise permanently mutated somatic cells.

--> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutation

Answer 5

A mutation for example would be small deformed ears and over time no ears at all, and nothing in between them and evolution could be caused by lack of use while all other organisms around you develop and become smarter doing your homework and getting the better jobs.