Biology 12th Edition

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0078024269
ISBN 13: 978-0-07802-426-9

Chapter 16 - How Populations Evolve - Engage - Thinking Scientifically - Page 295: 3

Answer

Mutations are the primary causes of evolutionary change. Mutations in the DNA can be harmful, neutral, or beneficial, which would lead to higher fitness of the individual. Genetic drift refers to the sudden increase of decrease of allele frequencies in a population, and can have dramatic effects in small populations. Natural selection describes how individuals with favorable genes are more likely to survive and pass on those genes.

Work Step by Step

Mutations are the primary causes of evolutionary change. Mutations in the DNA can be harmful, neutral, or beneficial, which would lead to higher fitness of the individual. Genetic drift refers to the sudden increase of decrease of allele frequencies in a population, and can have dramatic effects in small populations. Natural selection describes how individuals with favorable genes are more likely to survive and pass on those genes.
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