What is Genetic Variation?

Genetic variation is the genetic differences there are within a population or certain species. Genetic variation is important because it it provides the genes for natural selection. Natural selection is the theory that suggests that an organism's genes give it a greater chance of surviving, and therefore, they live, and then they pass on their genes to their offspring and future generations.  For example, if a population is exposed to a new disease, selection will help the organism resist the disease if it has the genetic material required. However, if the organism doesn't have the " correct" genes,the population will not evolve and could be wiped out by the disease. Genetic variation is pretty much the raw material of evolution, in other words, without it, organisms wouldn't be able to evolve, and at some point, may become extinct. Therefore, the risk of a species becoming endangered, increases due to low genetic variation.