Mutation leads to evolution in that it gives rise to new individuals which differ considerably from their parents. Mutations are changes in the genetic material of an organism that occur randomly and can lead to new traits. If these new traits are advantageous in a particular environment, they can increase an organism's chances of survival and reproduction, leading to the evolution of a new species over time. Mutations do not always confer adaptability to the offspring, but they increase genetic diversity, which can provide the raw material for natural selection to act upon.