Genetic variation is an important force in evolution as it allows natural selection to increase or decrease frequency of alleles already in the population. ... Genetic variation is advantageous to a population because it enables some individuals to adapt to the environment while maintaining the survival of the population.

What is the importance of genetic variation?

Genetic variation in a group of organisms enables some organisms to survive better than others in the environment in which they live. Organisms of even a small population can differ strikingly in terms of how well suited they are for life in a certain environment.

What would happen without genetic variation?

Without genetic variation, a population cannot evolve in response to changing environmental variables and, as a result, may face an increased risk of extinction. For example, if a population is exposed to a new disease, selection will act on genes for resistance to the disease if they exist in the population.