There seems to be confusion in other threads as to what a mutation is and how it relates to the process of biological evolution.
First, this is the definition that biologists use:
"In biology, a mutation is a permanent change of the nucleotide sequence of the genome of an organism, virus, or extrachromosomal DNA or other genetic elements. Mutations result from damage to DNA which is not repaired or to RNA genomes (typically caused by radiation or chemical mutagens), errors in the process of replication, or from the insertion or deletion of segments of DNA by mobile genetic elements.[1][2][3] Mutations may or may not produce discernible changes in the observable characteristics (phenotype) of an organism."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutation
The first question I would like to ask the audience is this:
Humans and chimps look different. They have slightly different body shapes, slightly different physiology, etc. How do you explain these differences?
1. The physical differences (i.e. phenotypes) are due to differences in the DNA sequence of their genomes.
2. Other (include an explanation).
First, this is the definition that biologists use:
"In biology, a mutation is a permanent change of the nucleotide sequence of the genome of an organism, virus, or extrachromosomal DNA or other genetic elements. Mutations result from damage to DNA which is not repaired or to RNA genomes (typically caused by radiation or chemical mutagens), errors in the process of replication, or from the insertion or deletion of segments of DNA by mobile genetic elements.[1][2][3] Mutations may or may not produce discernible changes in the observable characteristics (phenotype) of an organism."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutation
The first question I would like to ask the audience is this:
Humans and chimps look different. They have slightly different body shapes, slightly different physiology, etc. How do you explain these differences?
1. The physical differences (i.e. phenotypes) are due to differences in the DNA sequence of their genomes.
2. Other (include an explanation).