What is the Primary Source for New, Unique Genes in a Population

Question

What is the primary source for new, unique genes in a population?
A) mutation
B) natural selection
C) artificial selection
D) crossing over

Accepted Answer

Mutation is the primary source for new, unique genes in a population. Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that can occur spontaneously or be induced by environmental factors, such as radiation or chemicals. These mutations can create new alleles that may or may not be beneficial to an organism's survival and reproduction. Over time, beneficial mutations can increase in frequency within a population through natural selection. Artificial selection and crossing over can also increase genetic variation, but they are not the primary sources for new genes.