Question

What is the mutation? Write the features of mutation.

Answer 1

Mutation:

• The sudden changes in the hereditary material i.e. Chromosomes are termed as mutations.
• Hugo De Vries (1901) propounded “theory of mutation”.
• It is based on the results of experiments on a plant, the evening primrose.
• De Vries explained that mutations are sudden changes and are the sole agent for evolution.
• Mutations are always irreversible.

Features of Mutation:

• Mutations occur from time to time among the individuals of a naturally breeding species.
• The mutant organisms are markedly different from their parents.
• Mutations are large, sudden & are heritable.
• Mutations lead to the formation of new species.
• Mutations are both harmful & beneficial.
• The animals with harmful mutations are destroyed by natural selection and the beneficial mutations get established in the animals.