AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Mutations are one of the fundamental forces of evolution because they fuel the variability in populations and thus enable evolutionary change.

Detailed explanation-2: -Mutations are essential to evolution. Every genetic feature in every organism was, initially, the result of a mutation. The new genetic variant (allele) spreads via reproduction, and differential reproduction is a defining aspect of evolution.

Detailed explanation-3: -Answer and Explanation: The correct answer to this question is B. They always cause a change to an organism’s genotype. Regardless of the cause of the change, a DNA sequence is always altered when it mutates.

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.