Random modifications within the genome may arise during the cycle of cell division, called mutations. These are errors which occur as copies of the DNA are produced within the cell; mutations may range from small modifications called single nucleotide polymorphisms to large-scale deletions and multi-gene additions. These are transmissible across several generations, and are said to be heritable.
These mutations create variants which, within a community, become permanent, resulting in the creation of different, genetically distinct populations called species. Mutations can even accumulate over time in a group, changing the distribution of alleles or various gene forms-this is called genetic drift.
Since ponds are typically shallower than lakes, this allows more sunlight to reach pond plants than lake plants. By getting my sunlight, these pond plants can photosynthesize more efficiently.
