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

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

Other Word Forms

• mutational adjective
• mutationally adverb
• nonmutational adjective
• nonmutationally adverb
• unmutational 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

These acquired mutations produce new variants, which is why both the COVID-19 mRNA and the whole-virus flu vaccine get updated annually – to keep up with natural changes in the virus.

From Salon

The condition is caused by a mutation in the genes.

From BBC

Eventually, a version of the virus collects enough mutations that it has a slight edge over other viruses, and if other factors line up, it can sweep through a population.

From Los Angeles Times

He claimed that the vaccines promote the mutation of COVID; “one mutation, and the vaccine becomes ineffective,” Kennedy said.

From Los Angeles Times

Ms Folbigg has always maintained her innocence, and in 2023 a landmark inquiry into her case found her children could have died of natural causes because of incredibly rare gene mutations.

From BBC

Related Words

• alteration 
• anomaly 
• variation