Changes

'''Mutation''' is fundamental to the [[theory of evolution]].  According to the theory, mutations cause offspring to be slightly different from their parents.  Most mutations make the organism less fit, but some make it more fit.  The more fit individuals are more likely to reproduce and pass their mutated genes on to their offspring.

'''Mutation''' is fundamental to the [[theory of evolution]].  According to the theory, mutations cause offspring to be slightly different from their parents.  Most mutations make the organism less fit, but some make it more fit.  The more fit individuals are more likely to reproduce and pass their mutated genes on to their offspring (see [[natural selection]]).  

In [[biology]] mutation is any physical change in the [[genetic material]] of an [[organism]]. In most cases this is either the [[DNA]] or [[RNA]] in the cell [[nucleus]]. In multicellular organisms there are two primary classes of mutation, [[germline mutations]] and [[somatic mutations]]. Germline mutations are those changes that can be passed down to offspring, while somatic mutations are mutations that only alter genetic material in the mutated organism. There is some evidence that changes outside of the cell's genetic material, such as the [[cytoplasm]], [[proteins]], or the cell [[membrane]] can also be inherited.  

In [[biology]] mutation is any physical change in the [[genetic material]] of an [[organism]]. In most cases this is either the [[DNA]] or [[RNA]] in the cell [[nucleus]]. In multicellular organisms there are two primary classes of mutation, [[germline mutations]] and [[somatic mutations]]. Germline mutations are those changes that can be passed down to offspring, while somatic mutations are mutations that only alter genetic material in the mutated organism. There is some evidence that changes outside of the cell's genetic material, such as the [[cytoplasm]], [[proteins]], or the cell [[membrane]] can also be inherited.