What do you call a permanent, transmissible change in genetic material?

A permanent, transmissible change in genetic material is classified as a mutation. Mutations occur when there are alterations in the DNA sequence of organisms, which can arise from various factors such as errors in DNA replication or external influences like radiation and chemicals. These changes can affect an organism's phenotype, potentially leading to new traits that can be passed on to subsequent generations if they occur in germ cells.

Mutations are essential in the evolutionary process because they introduce genetic variation into a population, which is the raw material for evolution. Over time, beneficial mutations may be preserved through the process of natural selection, leading to adaptations in a species. Adaptation refers specifically to traits that enhance survival and reproduction in a given environment, but the underlying genetic changes that enable adaptations originate from mutations.

In contrast, evolution describes the broader changes in populations over time, often driven by mutations and the mechanisms of selection acting on those mutations. Selection refers to the process by which certain traits become more common in a population due to their advantages in survival and reproduction, but does not define the change in genetic material itself. Thus, the correct response highlights the fundamental genetic change that serves as a foundation for both adaptation and evolution.