How do genetic mutations contribute to evolution?

Genetic mutations are essential to the process of evolution because they create genetic diversity within a population. The correct answer emphasizes that mutations can introduce new traits, which may provide advantages in survival and reproduction within changing environments.

For instance, a mutation might lead to a beneficial change in a protein that enhances an organism's ability to find food, escape predators, or adapt to a new habitat. When these new traits confer an advantage, they may become more common in subsequent generations through natural selection, thereby influencing the course of evolution. This process underscores the role of genetic variation as a foundation for evolutionary change, allowing populations to adapt over time.

In contrast, while some mutations can be harmful or neutral, the potential for beneficial traits is crucial for the evolutionary process, just as diversity is key to the resilience and adaptability of species.