What is the role of mutation in evolution?

Question

also, what is the role of sexual reproduction in evolution?

also, are most mutations postive, negetive, or neutral?

Answer 1

> What is the role of mutation in evolution?
Mutation is the way in which new alleles come into existence. Over a long period of time, the changes can be so great that the product of the gene will now be different from its original purpose, so mutation is one of the important ways in which new genes can be added into a genome (other ways would be viral lysogeny, and gross chromosomal events).

> also, what is the role of sexual reproduction in evolution?
It's a good way of combining alleles into new combinations.

> also, are most mutations postive, negetive, or neutral?
Neutral. In eukaryotic organisms, most mutations will fall into ranges of DNA which are neither coding nor regulatory. There is considerable redundancy in the genetic code, so even if the mutation occurs in a coding segment, odds are pretty good it won't cause any change to a gene product (e.g. amino acid sequence).

Answer 2

Mutations introduce change, change introduces variation. Variation may lead to better adaptation. Negative mutation, or deleterious mutations will not result in advantage so, they will not transcend. Positive introduce a benefit, and they will survive and expand. Neutral mutation, have no effect. Mutation in theory occur at random, so in theory, there should be equal number of them, but of course, negative ones are difficult to track, for obvious reasons. There is a whole field of study for understanding genetic variation, and selective pressure of mutations.

Answer 3

Mutation introduces differences that can be selected for later. In other words, without mutations, all the DNA would be the same so natural selection couldn't occur.

The main role of sex is the mixing and exchanging DNA on chromosomes and mixing up chromosomes.

Answer 4

Mutation and sexual reproduction are both sources of variation. Variation is necessary for evolution. If all members of a species were identical, no change could happen.

Answer 5

They say that everything came from one single organism...so mutation was important. Without it we wouldnt be here so that makes it important...whales came from land animals and fish grew lungs and feet...supposedly...but ya...i have no idea...just a thought