false Those traits acquired through environmental influences cannot be inherited. adaptation Some organisms survive and reproduce, Some move out, Some die. A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence. Mutations can result from DNA copying mistakes made during cell division, exposure to radiation, exposure to certain chemicals, or infection by viruses. Only mutations in the sex cells of an organism will be inherited by offspring. Mutations in body cells are not passed on. Mutations can be good, providing an accidental advantage to an organism, helping its chance of survival (i.e. a mutation that gives a giraffe a longer neck allowing easy access to leaves). Mutations can be bad, providing a disadvantage to an organism and hurting its chance of survival (a shorter neck). Or a mutation can be neutral (a mutation that gives a giraffe a few extra spots). Giraffes with a tall mutation will be able to reach more food and have a better chance of surviving to have offspring and pass along this mutation. Over generations, more offspring will have the tall mutation. Those without the "tall" mutation are less likely to survive and produce offspring. This is natural selection. natural selection Adaptation makes an organism better able to survive in its environment. Genetic variation gives each dog a unique appearance. The fossil record documents the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of many life forms and their environments through Earth's history. the Theory of Evolution mutation, adaptation, natural selection, and extinction the fossil record, genetic information, and anatomical similarities across species. diversity The mice with the dark-color allele are best able to hide from predators and therefore the "fittest" for their environment. They are more likely to survive to reproduce, passing along the dark color gene to their offspring.