Pretend you are a biologist analyzing mutations occurring in the DNA of an endangered species. In three to five sentences, describe one type of mutation you might see that would help in the survival of the species and one type of mutation that might harm its survival. Additionally, describe how biologists might use this analysis to promote the survival of the species.
One type of mutation that could help in the survival of an endangered species is a mutation that improves its immune system. This would help the species fight off diseases and infections that could otherwise decimate their population. On the other hand, a mutation that harms the species' ability to reproduce or adapt to changes in their environment could be detrimental to their survival.
To promote the survival of the species, biologists could use their analysis to identify individuals with beneficial mutations and selectively breed them to create a stronger, more resilient population. Biologists could also use this analysis to identify potential threats to the species, such as pollutants or habitat loss, and work to mitigate these threats to ensure the species' survival.