For a mutation to affect the evolution of an animal species, it must occur within:

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A mutation that occurs in somatic cells is not passed on to offspring, and a mutation in prokaryotic cells cannot affect animal evolution. Diploid cells contain two copies of each chromosome and mutations that occur in these cells can be passed on to offspring, but gametes are the cells that pass genetic information from parent to offspring, making them the most important cells for affecting evolution. Therefore, a mutation that occurs in gametes has the potential to affect the evolution of an animal species.

For a Mutation to Affect the Evolution of an Animal