Mutations are any change in the genetic sequence (nucleotide sequence) of the genome of an organism. Mutations represent the main cause of diversity among organisms.
An example of a beneficial mutation might be spontaneous mutations that produce polyploidy plants, producing larger and healthier plants (Option B).
Mutations can be classified into somatic mutations (not inherited) and germinal mutations (eventually inherited).
When inherited, germinal mutations cause variations in the genetic material (DNA) of the offspring,
These genetic changes (mutations) can be detrimental, beneficial or neutral.
The non-disjunction of homologous chromosomes during cell division (meiosis) is well known to cause genetic mutations.
Beneficial mutations are selected by natural selection, thereby increasing their frequency in the population in the next generations.
