A random change in DNA.

A random change in DNA.

• A. Mutation
• B. Phenotype
• C. Chloroplast
• D. Decomposer

Answer: (A)

A random change in DNA is called a mutation. Mutations are alterations in the DNA sequence that can happen by chance during replication or due to factors like radiation or chemicals. These changes can alter the protein that a gene encodes, which can influence traits and, if they occur in reproductive cells, can be passed to offspring. This is what creates genetic variation and can drive evolution over generations. A phenotype, by contrast, is the outward or measurable trait that results from the interaction of DNA and the environment, not the DNA change itself. A chloroplast is an organelle in plant cells that carries out photosynthesis, and a decomposer is an organism that breaks down dead material.

A random change in DNA is called a mutation. Mutations are alterations in the DNA sequence that can happen by chance during replication or due to factors like radiation or chemicals. These changes can alter the protein that a gene encodes, which can influence traits and, if they occur in reproductive cells, can be passed to offspring. This is what creates genetic variation and can drive evolution over generations. A phenotype, by contrast, is the outward or measurable trait that results from the interaction of DNA and the environment, not the DNA change itself. A chloroplast is an organelle in plant cells that carries out photosynthesis, and a decomposer is an organism that breaks down dead material.