mutation

[ myoo-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. Biology.
   1. 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.
   2. Also called sport. an individual, species, or the like, resulting from such a departure.
2. the act or process of changing.
3. a change or alteration, as in form or nature.
4. Phonetics. umlaut.
5. Linguistics. (in Celtic languages) syntactically determined morphophonemic phenomena that affect initial sounds of words.

mutation

/ mjuːˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of mutating; change; alteration
2. a change or alteration
3. 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
4. another word for mutant
5. a physical characteristic of an individual resulting from this type of chromosomal change
6. phonetics
   1. (in Germanic languages) another name for umlaut
   2. (in Celtic languages) a phonetic change in certain initial consonants caused by a preceding word

mutation

/ myo̅o̅-tā′shən /

1. 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.
2. See Note at sickle cell anemia

Derived Forms

• muˈtational, adjective
• muˈtationally, adverb

Other Words From

• mu·tation·al adjective
• mu·tation·al·ly adverb
• nonmu·tation·al adjective
• nonmu·tation·al·ly adverb
• unmu·tation·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mutation¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English mutacio(u)n, from Latin mūtātion- (stem of mūtātiō ) “a changing”; mutate, -ion

Example Sentences

Kawoaka told The Times in an interview that the mutations seen in this particular isolate have appeared elsewhere in past outbreaks in birds and mammals, “so in that sense, it’s a very orthodox mutation.”

From Los Angeles Times

When Angelina Jolie announced that she had a BRCA1 mutation in a New York Times op-ed, I didn’t know that one day I would be able to relate.

From Salon

Five years after her op-ed, I found out that I also had a BRCA1 mutation, which means that I have a higher risk of developing certain kinds of cancer.

From Salon

Men with a BRCA1 mutation have a higher chance of prostate and breast cancer.

From Salon

We also meet to discuss the latest research and if any new recommendations have come out for others with my mutation.

From Salon

Related Words

• alteration
• anomaly
• variation