What factor can lead to genetic variation among a population?

Genetic variation within a population is primarily driven by changes in the genetic material, and gene mutation plays a crucial role in this process. Mutations are alterations in the DNA sequence that can introduce new genetic information. These changes can occur due to various factors, such as errors during DNA replication or exposure to environmental influences, and they can be beneficial, neutral, or harmful.

When mutations occur, they can lead to the development of new traits that may provide a selective advantage, allowing individuals with those traits to survive and reproduce more successfully. Over time, these beneficial mutations can spread through the population, increasing genetic diversity.

In contrast, while cloning and asexual reproduction can produce identical offspring, they do not introduce new genetic variation, as the offspring are exact replicas of the parent organism. Environmental stability generally leads to a more uniform population where genetic variation is not favored, as selective pressures are minimal. Therefore, gene mutation stands out as the primary factor that generates genetic diversity, contributing significantly to the evolutionary potential of a population.