Changes in an organism's genome that have no effect on an individual's survival or reproduction are called ____.
A) amino acid substitutions
B) deleterious mutations
C) Hox genes
D) neutral mutations
E) mitochondrial DNA

Question

Changes in an organism's genome that have no effect on an individual's survival or reproduction are called ____.  
A) amino acid substitutions
B) deleterious mutations
C) Hox genes
D) neutral mutations
E) mitochondrial DNA

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Neutral mutations are changes in an organism's genome that have no effect on an individual's survival or reproduction. Amino acid substitutions can be neutral, deleterious or advantageous. Deleterious mutations have a negative effect on an organism's fitness, while advantageous mutations are beneficial to an organism's survival and reproduction. Hox genes are a family of genes important in the development of the body plan in most animals. Mitochondrial DNA is DNA that is present in mitochondria and is inherited maternally.

Changes in an Organism's Genome That Have No Effect on an Individual's