MUTATIONS

Mutations

Mutations

Mutations can be neutral (neither helpful nor harmful), strictly harmful, strictly helpful, or (and this is important) whether they are harmful or helpful, depending on the environment. Generally mutations are either impartial or their consequence depends on the environment.

A mutation is a change in genetic material that controls heredity. Plants and animals have two copies of each chromosome, whereas the bacteria, there is only one copy. Organisms that have two copies of each chromosome are called diploids. Those who have only one copy of each chromosome are called haploids. Although most mutations are not equally useful and not harmful, they can ...