Question

How do mutations impact genetic variation?

Answer 1

The random changes a mutation causes to an organisms genetic code causes either 1. A different protein to be produced or 2. none at all Mutations can either have a positive, negative or neutral (the vast majority) effect on the organism. (many times whether they are harmful or helpful depends on the environment.) When a mutation makes an organism better able to survive that organism is more likely to survive and pass the mutated gene onto the next generation.