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mutation
[ myoo-tey-shuhn ]
noun
- Biology.
- Also called break. a sudden departure from the parent type in one or more heritable characteristics, caused by a change in a gene or a chromosome.
- Also called sport. an individual, species, or the like, resulting from such a departure.
- the act or process of changing.
- a change or alteration, as in form or nature.
- Phonetics. umlaut.
- Linguistics. (in Celtic languages) syntactically determined morphophonemic phenomena that affect initial sounds of words.
mutation
/ ːˈٱɪʃə /
noun
- the act or process of mutating; change; alteration
- a change or alteration
- a change in the chromosomes or genes of a cell. When this change occurs in the gametes the structure and development of the resultant offspring may be affected See also inversion
- another word for mutant
- a physical characteristic of an individual resulting from this type of chromosomal change
- phonetics
- (in Germanic languages) another name for umlaut
- (in Celtic languages) a phonetic change in certain initial consonants caused by a preceding word
mutation
- A change in the structure of the genes or chromosomes of an organism. Mutations occurring in the reproductive cells, such as an egg or sperm, can be passed from one generation to the next. Most mutations occur in junk DNA and have no discernible effects on the survivability of an organism. Of the remaining mutations, the majority have harmful effects, while a minority can increase an organism's ability to survive. A mutation that benefits a species may evolve by means of natural selection into a trait shared by some or all members of the species.
- See Note at sickle cell anemia
Derived Forms
- ˈٲپDzԲ, adjective
- ˈٲپDzԲly, adverb
Other Word Forms
- ·ٲtDz· adjective
- ·ٲtDz··ly adverb
- non·ٲtDz· adjective
- non·ٲtDz··ly adverb
- un·ٲtDz· adjective
Word History and Origins
Example Sentences
Some critics argue vaccination could lead to virus mutations, but research suggests otherwise.
The drug is suitable for those with certain gene mutations that affect up to half of people with hormone receptor positive secondary breast cancer - the most common type, which grows in the presence of oestrogen.
Instead it looks for 130 mutations in men's DNA, each of which can increase the risk of prostate cancers developing.
Scientists are sounding alarms about a genetic mutation that was recently identified in four dairy cow herds, nearly one year after H5N1 bird flu was first reported in Texas dairy cattle.
The researchers found a similar level of natural genetic mutations in the blood of the two groups - 217 frequent and 212 irregular donors.
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