Mutations can both positively and negatively affect a species' ability to survive and reproduce. Beneficial mutations can provide an advantage in survival and reproduction, while harmful mutations can decrease fitness and hinder reproduction. The impact of a mutation on a species ultimately depends on the environment it inhabits.
Mutations can affect a species's ability to survive and reproduce in several ways. Firstly, beneficial mutations can result in traits that enhance an organism's survival or reproductive fitness, giving them a competitive advantage in their environment. On the other hand, detrimental mutations can reduce an organism's fitness, making it less likely to survive or reproduce successfully. Overall, mutations introduce genetic variation, which plays a crucial role in the process of natural selection, shaping a species's adaptation and evolutionary potential.
