Which of the following factors may result in introduction of new variations ?

Options

A. Gene mutation
B. Genetic recombination
C. Stabilizing natural selection
D. Immigration of individuals

Answer

To determine which factor may result in the introduction of new variations, let's analyze each option provided in the question step by step.

### Step 1: Understanding Gene Mutation
- **Definition**: Gene mutations are changes in the DNA sequence of an organism's genome. These changes can result in new traits or variations in the organism.
- **Impact**: Mutations can introduce new alleles into a population, which can lead to variations in physical traits, behaviors, or physiological functions.

### Step 2: Analyzing Genetic Recombination
- **Definition**: Genetic recombination occurs during meiosis when chromosomes exchange segments of DNA, leading to new combinations of genes.
- **Impact**: While genetic recombination does create genetic diversity, it does not introduce new variations in the sense of creating new alleles. Instead, it shuffles existing genetic material.

### Step 3: Evaluating Stabilizing Natural Selection
- **Definition**: Stabilizing natural selection is a type of natural selection that favors the average phenotype and reduces variation.
- **Impact**: This process tends to maintain the status quo in a population and does not introduce new variations. Instead, it reduces the extremes of variation.

### Step 4: Considering Immigration of Individuals
- **Definition**: Immigration refers to the movement of individuals into a population from another area.
- **Impact**: While immigration can introduce new individuals with different genetic backgrounds, it does not inherently create new variations. It may increase genetic diversity but does not generate new mutations or traits.

### Conclusion
After analyzing all options, the factor that may result in the introduction of new variations is **gene mutation** (Option A). Gene mutations create new alleles, which can lead to new traits in a population.

### Final Answer
**The correct answer is Option A: Gene Mutation.**

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