EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -This process of changing and selection of successful variants is called “virus evolution.” Some mutations can lead to changes in a virus’s characteristics, such as altered transmission (for example, it may spread more easily) or severity (for example, it may cause more severe disease).

Detailed explanation-2: -Mutations can be of many types, such as substitution, deletion, insertion, and translocation.

Detailed explanation-3: -Spontaneous mutations can occur because of replication errors or as a consequence of lesions introduced into DNA during normal cell growth. Induced mutations arise after treatment of the organism with an exogenous mutagen being physical or chemical agent increasing the frequency of mutations.

Detailed explanation-4: -Viruses mutate to adapt to their surroundings and more effectively move from host to host. Mutations can cause viruses to better evade our immune systems, treatments and vaccines. A mutation can help the virus gain traits that better help it reproduce quickly or adhere better to the surface of human cells.