Question

You are reading a scientific article about cheetahs that have stripes down their backs instead of spots. The article refers to this as a genetic mutation. Though they have no negative impact on the cheetahs’ fitness, why are the stripes nevertheless considered a genetic mutation?

Answer 1

 

Explanation:

It can be the results of evolutionary advantage

It can be the result of an evolutionary disadvantage

It can be the result of no effect of phenotype  

Or it may be the result of all of these mentions above.  

Genetic mutation is the permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that makes up the gene. Mutation vary in size, they can affect from anywhere from a single strands of DNA building block to a large segment of the chromosomes that includes multiple genes.