What is a mutation?
A genetic change.
Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Biology 0970 (Extended) (2026–2028) · 18.1
Revise Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Biology 0970 (Extended) (2026–2028) specification point 18.1, Variation, with free active-recall flashcards. Flip through the set or review every question and answer below.
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What is a mutation?
A genetic change.
How are new alleles formed?
By mutation.
What two types of agent can increase the rate of mutation?
Ionising radiation and some chemicals.
What are four sources of genetic variation in a population?
Mutation, meiosis, random mating and random fertilisation.
What is a gene mutation?
A random change in the DNA base sequence within a gene.
How does mutation differ from meiosis, random mating and random fertilisation in its effect on alleles?
Mutation can create new alleles; the other processes produce different combinations of alleles.
How does meiosis contribute to genetic variation?
It produces gametes with different combinations of alleles.
How does random mating contribute to genetic variation?
It affects which individuals contribute their alleles to offspring.
How does random fertilisation contribute to genetic variation?
It affects which gametes combine.