mutation
[ myoo-tey-shuh n ]
/ myuˈteɪ ʃən /
noun
Biology.
- a sudden departure from the parent type in one or more heritable characteristics, caused by a change in a gene or a chromosome.
- 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.
Origin of mutation
OTHER WORDS FROM mutation
Words nearby mutation
mutant gene,
mutare,
mutarotation,
mutase,
mutate,
mutation,
mutation stop,
mutations,
mutatis mutandis,
mutato nomine,
mutazila
Example sentences from the Web for mutations
British Dictionary definitions for mutations
mutation
/ (mjuːˈteɪʃən) /
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 (def. 11)
another word for mutant (def. 1)
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
Derived forms of mutation
mutational, adjective mutationally, adverbMedical definitions for mutations
mutation
[ myōō-tā′shən ]
n.
The act or process of being altered or changed.
An alteration or change, as in nature, form, or quality.
A sudden structural change within a gene or chromosome of an organism resulting in the creation of a new character or trait not found in the parental type.
The process by which such a sudden structural change occurs, either through an alteration in the nucleotide sequence of the DNA coding for a gene or through a change in the physical arrangement of a chromosome.
A mutant.
Other words from mutation
mu•ta′tion•al adj.Scientific definitions for mutations
mutation
[ myōō-tā′shən ]
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.
Cultural definitions for mutations
mutations
Changes in chromosomes or genes that cause offspring to have characteristics different from those of their parents. Mutations can be caused by the effects of chemicals, radiation, or even ordinary heat on DNA. Mutations produce some of the differences between members of a species on which natural selection acts.