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Mutations can be caused by internal or external factors. Common external factors include [[ultraviolet]] radiation, chemical [[mutagens]], or parasitic organisms (such as [[viruses]] or [[bacteria]]). Most internal causes of mutations stem from errors in reproduction of genetic material. Most of these errors are corrected by error-correcting [[ribosomes]] but some organisms will respond to harsh environments by increasing the rate of mutations. This is known as [[hypermutation]] and is hypothesized to aid organisms by creating wider variation in the [[gene pool]] of the population, increasing the chances that at least some decedents might survive under harsh conditions.
Mutations can be caused by internal or external factors. Common external factors include [[ultraviolet]] radiation, chemical [[mutagens]], or parasitic organisms (such as [[viruses]] or [[bacteria]]). Most internal causes of mutations stem from errors in reproduction of genetic material. Most of these errors are corrected by error-correcting [[ribosomes]] but some organisms will respond to harsh environments by increasing the rate of mutations. This is known as [[hypermutation]] and is hypothesized to aid organisms by creating wider variation in the [[gene pool]] of the population, increasing the chances that at least some decedents might survive under harsh conditions.
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.
==References==
==References==