AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Mutations have primary fitness effects only when fitness is impacted by changes in the protein’s ability to perform its physiological function. Primary fitness effects do not exist unless the protein is under selection for its physiological function.

Detailed explanation-2: -Beneficial and deleterious mutations change an organism’s fitness but the distribution of these mutational effects on fitness are unknown. Several experimental, theoretical, and computational studies have explored this question but are limited because of experimental restrictions, or disconnect with physiology.

Detailed explanation-3: -Mutations can affect an organism by changing its physical characteristics (or phenotype) or it can impact the way DNA codes the genetic information (genotype). When mutations occur they can cause termination (death) of an organism or they can be partially lethal.

Detailed explanation-4: -No; only a small percentage of variants cause genetic disorders-most have no impact on health or development. For example, some variants alter a gene’s DNA sequence but do not change the function of the protein made from the gene.