UPSC Prelims 2002·GS1·geography·ecology and environment

Among living organisms, which one of the following is the most responsible factor for bringing about the origin of a new species?

Dalvoy logo
Reviewed by Dalvoy
UPSC Civil Services preparation
Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. AIsolation
  2. BMutationCorrect
  3. CNatural Selection
  4. DSexual Reproduction

Explanation

Mutation is the correct answer because it is the primary source of new genetic variations. While natural selection and isolation act upon existing traits to shape a species over time, mutation is the specific biological process that creates entirely new alleles or changes in the DNA sequence. Without these random genetic changes, there would be no new traits for natural selection to favor, making mutation the fundamental factor that initiates the evolutionary path toward the origin of a new species.
geography: Among living organisms, which one of the following is the most responsible factor for bringing about the origin of a new

Related questions

More UPSC Prelims practice from the same subject and topic.