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AQA GCSE · Question 01.1 · Inheritance Variation and Evolution
Evolution of new species occurs by mutation and natural selection.
What is a mutation?
Evolution of new species occurs by mutation and natural selection.
What is a mutation?
How to approach this question
Define the term "mutation" in the context of genetics. Think about what genetic material is and how it can be altered.
Full Answer
A mutation is a change in the sequence of DNA bases.
A mutation is a permanent alteration in the nucleotide sequence of the DNA of an organism. This can involve a change in a single base pair, or the insertion, deletion, or rearrangement of larger sections of DNA. Mutations are the ultimate source of all genetic variation.
Common mistakes
✗ Confusing mutation with natural selection.
✗ Stating it is a change in a gene, which is too vague. The key is the change in the DNA base sequence.
Practice the full AQA GCSE Biology Higher Tier Paper 2
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