What term is used for a genetic alteration in the DNA sequence?

• A. Evolution
• B. Mutation
• C. Species
• D. Transfer RNA

Answer: (B)

A mutation is a genetic alteration in the DNA sequence. It refers to a change in the nucleotide order that can affect the function of a gene or its regulation. Mutations arise from errors during DNA replication, exposure to mutagens, or recombination events, and they can occur in germline cells (inherited) or somatic cells (not inherited). They come in various forms, from a single base change (point mutation) to insertions, deletions, or larger chromosomal rearrangements, and their effects can range from no noticeable change to altered protein function or phenotype.

This term is the direct description of a change in the DNA itself. The other terms describe broader concepts or distinct biological entities: evolution is the population-level process by which allele frequencies change over time; species refers to a group of organisms that can interbreed; transfer RNA is a molecule that helps translate genetic information into protein.