What is a mutation?

A mutation is defined as a change in the DNA sequence of an organism. This alteration can occur in various forms, such as substitutions, deletions, or insertions of nucleotides within the genetic material. Mutations can arise from several sources, including errors during DNA replication, exposure to radiation or chemicals, or viral infections. These changes can have a range of effects on an organism, from benign to detrimental, or, in some cases, beneficial, contributing to genetic diversity within a population.

Understanding mutations is crucial in fields such as genetics, evolution, and medicine, as they play a fundamental role in the process of evolution and can lead to various hereditary diseases in individuals. This concept is different from genetic recombination, natural selection, and cellular division, which pertain to different biological processes. While genetic recombination involves the shuffling of existing genes during meiosis, natural selection is about the differential survival of individuals with advantageous traits, and cellular division refers to the process of cells dividing to produce more cells, emphasizing the distinct nature of mutations as direct changes to the DNA sequence.