Question

How do mutations affect species diversity?

Answer 1

Mutation leads to change in gene sequence which further leads to change in gene activity. As a result protein expression changes which finally introduces a different trait in an organism.

Complete answer:
Mutations are one of the basic causes of evolution because mutations lead to variability in human population. On the basis of their effect on human population they can be divided into three categories:

(i)Good or Advantageous mutations: These mutations increase the chances of survival within a population

(ii)Bad or Deleterious mutations: These mutations are harmful and decrease the population size.

(iii) Neutral or Indifferent mutations: These mutations do not affect the populations.

Evolution can be defined as the change in populations of organisms over time. Mutations are one of the main causes of genetic variation. These variations lead to change in gene activity which further leads to change in protein function and finally a different trait is introduced in the organism. If the genetic variation is heritable it will pass to the next generations. After the trait is passed through many generations it becomes very common in the population. So, the resultant population is very different from the ancestral population. Sometimes such a population leads to the formation of new species.

Note: Only the mutations that occur in sperm or egg cells and can be passed to the next generations contribute to the evolution. Mutations which occur in somatic cells of the body are not passed to the next generations and do not lead to evolution.