Mutation - Another Cause of Genetic Variation

● A mutation is a permanent change in the base sequence of DNA.

● Some mutations are random occuring during cell division and others are caused by a
mutagen. Examples of mutagens are chemicals, UV light or radiation.

● Mutations can occur in either body (somatic) cells that undergo mitosis or during
meiosis when the gametes are made. To create variation in a population, the mutation
must be passed onto offspring so only mutations which occur in the gametes will be
passed onto the next generation.

● Mutations introduce new alleles into a population and can be:

Beneficial mutation = A mutation that gives an organism a survival advantage.
Harmful mutation = A mutation that effects the survival of the organism.
Silent mutation = a mutation which has no observable effect on the organism.