Question

populations evolve through mutations. what exactly are mutations? can mutations have helpful effects, harmful effects or no effects at all?

Answer 1

Mutations can be described as any changes which occur in the sequence of DNA. These changes might be natural or can be induced.

Mutations can be very harmful if the mutation causes a wrong protein to be formed. For example, a mutation can cause a suppressor oncogene to turn into a cancerous gene.

Mutations can be helpful too if the protein formed by mutation benefits the organism. For example, the rich-colour vision that humans have is due to mutations.

Sometimes, a mutation will not have a harmful or helpful effect. For example, if the mutation occurs in the non-coding part of the DNA, then it will not be harmful or helpful.