\begin{tabular}{l}6 Why does Rita compare a genetic mutation to a \\ misspelled word? \\ \begin{tabular}{|l|l|}\hline Type & Draw \\ \hline Enter answer here... \end{tabular} \\ \hline\end{tabular}

To answer the question of why Rita compares a genetic mutation to a misspelled word, we can break down the analogy step by step. 1. **Understanding Genetic Mutation**: A genetic mutation refers to a change in the DNA sequence that can lead to variations in traits. These mutations can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral. 2. **Understanding a Misspelled Word**: A misspelled word is a word that has been written incorrectly, often due to a mistake in the arrangement of letters. This can change the meaning of the word or render it nonsensical. 3. **The Comparison**: - **Nature of Change**: Both a genetic mutation and a misspelled word involve a change from the original form. In genetics, a mutation alters the original DNA sequence, while a misspelled word alters the original spelling. - **Impact of Change**: Just as a misspelled word can lead to confusion or misunderstanding in communication, a genetic mutation can lead to changes in an organism's traits, which can affect its survival and reproduction. - **Potential for Correction**: In writing, a misspelled word can often be corrected easily, while some genetic mutations can be repaired by cellular mechanisms, but others may persist and have lasting effects. 4. **Conclusion**: Rita likely uses this analogy to illustrate how small changes (mutations or spelling errors) can have significant implications, whether in language or biology. ### Answer Format - **Type**: Explanation - **Draw**: (You can draw a diagram showing a DNA strand with a highlighted mutation and a word with a highlighted misspelling to visually represent the analogy.) This explanation captures the essence of the comparison Rita is making.