Question

What is the role of mutations in creating variation in bird beak types?

Answer 1

How does a population adapt to sudden changes in the environment? According to the most widely accepted paradigm, random genetic changes (mutations) are the source of heritable changes in a plant or animal’s observable characteristics (phenotype). Phenotype, in turn, is the raw material that is acted upon by natural selection, and the most beneficial adaptations are passed on to successive generations. But there is a problem with this paradigm: adaptive genetic mutations are so infrequent that this scenario cannot adequately explain the speed at which adaptation can occur

Answer 2

In order for a bird's beak to evolve into different a types, a mutation must occur first.

Step-by-step explanation:

All evolution relies on mutations or changes to the DNA. Bird beaks adapt to the environment to be better suited to obtain food. A bird that used to have a pointy beak for stabbing bugs might move to an area with an abundance of seeds. Their DNA mutates so that their offspring can have short beaks to pick up seeds.