DNA mutations play a big role in how living things change over time, and it's really interesting to learn about! Let’s make it easier to understand.

• What are mutations?
  Mutations are changes in the DNA, which is the instruction manual for how living things grow and work. These changes can happen by mistake when DNA gets copied or because of things in the environment, like sunlight.

• How do mutations affect living things?

  1. Neutral mutations: These changes don’t really seem to help or hurt an organism. They might just stay in the group of living things.
  2. Beneficial mutations: These are helpful changes. For example, they might make an animal run faster or help it blend into its surroundings better. This can help them survive and have more babies.
  3. Harmful mutations: These changes can cause problems that make it harder for an organism to survive.

• How do mutations lead to evolution?
  Over a long time, beneficial mutations can spread throughout a group of living things because the ones with these good traits reproduce more. This process is called natural selection. It helps species change and adapt to new surroundings and challenges.

In simple terms, DNA mutations are like random changes that can either help or hurt living things. They have a big impact on how species grow and adapt over many generations. It’s an exciting journey through changes in genetics and how nature works!