Answer :
Final answer:
Mutations, changes in an organism's DNA, can be categorized as beneficial, neutral, or harmful. Beneficial mutations enhance survival and reproduction, neutral mutations have no significant effect, and harmful mutations may result in damage or death. Statistics show that a majority of mutations are neutral or near-neutral, while a significant portion are harmful, and less than 1% are beneficial.
Explanation:
Mutations are changes in an organism's DNA and can occur in various ways. These changes might have an effect on the overall function of the organism. Mutations can be classified into three groups based on their effect on the organism: beneficial, neutral, and harmful.
Beneficial mutations lead to the advancement of the organism. These mutations increase the chances of survival and reproduction, which generally help in the overall evolution of the species. For example, a mutation that increases an individual's resistance to a deadly disease would be considered beneficial.
Neutral mutations do not have a significant effect on the organism. They do not enhance or reduce the organism's abilities. A change in the DNA that does not affect the organism’s function would be an example of a neutral mutation.
Lastly, harmful mutations result in damage or death of the organism. Any change that negatively affects an organism’s chances of survival and reproduction would be considered harmful. For instance, a mutation causing an incurable disease would be harmful.
According to a study by Eyre-Walker and Keightley (2007) published in Nature, about 38% of mutations are harmful, less than 1% are beneficial, and the remaining 61% are neutral or near-neutral.
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