Question

The concept of sudden genetic change which breeds true in a species is represented as
A. Inheritance of acquired characters
B. Natural selection
C. Law of inheritance
D. Mutation

Answer 1

Hint: This process brings about a discontinuous variation in the genotype and phenotype of an organism due to a change in chromosomes and genes. In addition, to recombination, this causes another phenomenon that results in variation in DNA.

Complete answer: Evolution is the process by which large populations of species change over generations.
Genetic variations govern these changes. Genetic variations can arise from gene mutations or from genetic recombination (a normal process during which genetic material is rearranged when a cell is preparing to divide).
These variations often alter gene activity, or protein function, which may introduce different traits in an organism.
If a trait is advantageous and helps the individual survive and reproduce, the genetic variation is more likely to be passed to subsequent generations thus playing a role in evolution.

Additional information: The two important types of mutations are gene mutations, which can either be point mutations (happening in a single nucleotide) or
frameshift mutations (when a nucleotide or nucleotides are inserted/ deleted), and chromosomal mutations, which causes changes in the structure/ number of the entire chromosome.

So, the correct answer is option D. Mutation.

Note: It is important to note that not all mutations cause evolution. Only the hereditary mutations, which occur in egg or sperm cells, are often passed to future generations, and potentially contribute to evolution. Some mutations occur during a person’s lifetime in just the somatic cells and aren't hereditary.