What is the primary source of variation in a population?

Q: What is the primary source of variation in a population?

What is the primary source of variation in a population? Mutation ✓ Genetic drift Gene flow Natural selection Explanation Mutations are random changes in DNA that create new genetic variations. When DNA copies itself, sometimes mistakes happen that change the genetic code. These changes can create new traits that did not exist before in the population. Mutations are the only way completely new genetic information enters a population. They happen naturally and randomly during cell division. Most mutations have no effect, some are harmful, and a few create beneficial new traits. Genetic drift, gene flow, and natural selection all shuffle existing genetic variation but do not create new variation. Only mutation introduces brand new genetic material. All other evolutionary forces work with variation that mutation originally provided.

Question

Answer 1

What is the primary source of variation in a population?

Mutation ✓
Genetic drift
Gene flow
Natural selection

Explanation

Mutations are random changes in DNA that create new genetic variations. When DNA copies itself, sometimes mistakes happen that change the genetic code. These changes can create new traits that did not exist before in the population.

Mutations are the only way completely new genetic information enters a population. They happen naturally and randomly during cell division. Most mutations have no effect, some are harmful, and a few create beneficial new traits.

Genetic drift, gene flow, and natural selection all shuffle existing genetic variation but do not create new variation. Only mutation introduces brand new genetic material. All other evolutionary forces work with variation that mutation originally provided.