Are rare genetic mutations simply organic evolution? e.g. the four legged duck?

Answer 1

Genetic mutations *can be* part of organic evolution. If they provide some advantage, then they can begin to propagate into the population of the species, and affect the overall evolution of the species. If they provide some disadvantage, then they will disappear quickly, and won't affect evolution at all. If they are neutral (either because they are not expressed in all carriers, or because, even when expressed, they neither help nor hinder the organism), then they may linger for generations in a bloodline without propagating into the general population ... until such time that they do provide some advantage (e.g. together with another mutation that happens much later).

But I would never say that a genetic mutation *is* organic evolution. A mutation happens in an individual. Evolution happens at the population level ... individuals cannot "evolve." So a mutation can *contribute* to evolution, but it is not the same thing as evolution.

In the case of a four-legged duck, this is probably not the result of a mutation, but an absorbed siamese twin. Even if it provided some advantage, that characteristic is not in the DNA itself, and is thus not heritable, and thus cannot affect evolution.

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And since chas_chas once again chooses this opportunity to spread a little misinformation: *Of course* mutations can add new information, and has been observed over and over. (Although this 4-legged duck is not an example.) As a trivial example, once a year we have to create new flu vaccines because flu viruses have, through mutations reinforced by natural selection, evolved resistance to last-year's flu shot. If the new resistance doesn't constitute new information, then the phrase "new information" is meaningless.

Answer 2

Genetic mutations are happening all of the time. DNA is not always copied perfectly in the body but a lot of the these errors have no difference at all and the rest of the time the resulting mutation has very little affect at all and is rarely visible.

However, in a small number of cases the genetic mutation does have a big affect, in the case of the 4 legged duck in Hampshire. If this helps the duck survive it will become more normal through natural selection and evolution and but if not the duck will die prematurely and its different genes will not be passed on.

For a simple explanation of evolutions see:
http://scienceaid.co.uk/biology/ecology/evolution.html

Answer 3

This has been widely misreported. The four-legged duck is not a mutation, it is simply a developmental abnormality.

However, it is true to say that rare mutations are a normal part of evolution. But most evolution is through much smaller and less obvious mutations - most of the larger ones that cause effects like this are harmful, and are therefore weeded out by the other vital component of evolution: natural selection.

Answer 4

A mutation needs to be successful and repeated before in becomes part of a species evolution. If there was some advantage to ducks having 4 legs, the occurrences of four legged ducks would become more prominent. Given enough time, four legged ducks would dominate. Replacing the two legged ones as the norm.

Answer 5

It is not evolution but the basis of evolution. For example having four legs is probably not going to help that duck be a successful duck. Its flight maybe limited and would probably end up as a predators dinner, therefore it will not pass on its genes (the four legs variation) to any offspring. However if the duck was borne with slightly better adapted feet for swimming it might be able to swim faster or dive lower to get food and will probably eat well and breed well. Thus passing on his unique advantage to many offspring hence evolution from one generation to the next.

Answer 6

A four legged animal would not be genetic but a Siamese twin where the rest of one organism has been absorbed. Genetic mutations or sports like the pink grapefruit are spontaneous mutations, but not according to Darwin, since the yellow still exists.

Answer 7

The 4-legged duck is not evolution - in the sense of goo-to-you.

It is the result of copying errors in the DNA. No *new* information has been added in the process.

Natural Selection will most likely lead to this mutation *not* being selected, and not staying in the gene pool.

Goo-to-you evolution hypothesises that mutations have added genetic information. However this has *never* been observed. All observed mutations are either information neutral or result in the loss of information.
Evolution requires the creation of vast amounts of new genetic information, and is contrary to the observed evidence.

http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/3026/

Answer 8

ok... Why is it that Black human beings exist? Or brown or white? It has to do with UV version confident? human beings up North are going to have lighter dermis than those south. Like smart, particular animals like Camels are greater adapt to the wasteland mutually as horses greater for the grassy plains. Evolution isn't a mutation, its a steadily version that happens very slowly, steadily and unnoticeable over tens of millions - billion of years. immediately we are evolving... RE: "John you haven't any longer any theory what you're talking approximately, do you? lmao" i understand rattling nicely what i'm saying yet I doubt you have any clue what you're saying once you communicate approximately that mutation and evolution are 2 a number of issues...

Answer 9

Don't know of four legged ducks but I'm sure that chickens these days have 8 legs and wings.
They have evolved but it's being kept a secret.

Answer 10

Yes, that's the definition: minor random changes in the genes that encode these traits produce new traits and variations on old ones. This is called evolution.