Chapter 14.3, Problem 7SAQ

Summary Introduction

A change in the DNA sequence of the cell is known as a mutation. Mutations can be harmful (reduce survival or reproduction), neutral (do not affect survival or reproduction), or beneficial (increase survival or reproduction). One or within a few generations, the harmful mutations can be eliminated because they often decrease the survival of organisms and their reproductive abilities. However, less harmful mutations can remain in the population. If the mutation occurs in the noncoding DNA, it may result in little or no effect. If a mutation occurs in the protein coding regions, it may produce a harmful effect on the organisms.