What is an advantageous mutation?

An advantageous mutation is defined as a genetic change that provides a benefit to the organism, enhancing its ability to survive and reproduce in its environment. Such mutations can lead to traits that improve overall fitness, such as increased resistance to diseases, better adaptability to environmental changes, or improved reproductive success. Over time, advantageous mutations can become more prevalent within a population as individuals carrying those mutations may have a higher likelihood of passing them on to their offspring. This concept is fundamental in the study of evolution and natural selection, where beneficial traits are favored and spread through generations.

The other options describe different types of mutations: harmful mutations negatively impact an organism's fitness, germline mutations refer to changes occurring in the reproductive cells and can be inherited, and random mutations may occur without any change in fitness. These clarify the specific context and functions of various mutations compared to the clear benefit provided by advantageous mutations.