Definition of mutation
1 : a significant and basic alteration : change
2 : umlaut
3a : a relatively permanent change in hereditary material that involves either a change in chromosome structure or number (as in translocation, deletion, duplication, or polyploidy) or a change in the nucleotide sequence of a gene's codons (as in frameshift or missense errors) and that occurs either in germ cells or in somatic cells but with only those in germ cells being capable of perpetuation by sexual reproduction Mutations known to cause disease have been identified in approximately 1000 genes. — Alan E. Guttmacher and Francis S. Collins; also : the process of producing a mutation Microorganisms have been used extensively to study mutation … — George A. Wistreich et al.b : an individual, strain, or trait resulting from mutation The worst E. coli bacterium, E. coli 0157:H, a mutation discovered in 1982 that has at least sixty-two subtypes, causes hemorrhagic colitis … — Wayne Biddle
mutationally
adverbRead the Latest from M-W
Examples of mutation in a Sentence
The cat's short tail is the result of mutation.
The condition is caused by a genetic mutation.
The cat's short tail is the result of a mutation.
The building is a mutation of the original design.
Recent Examples of mutation from the Web
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Not only are there the new PD-1 immune therapy treatments, but there are drugs targeting other genetic mutations, including BRAF inhibitors, MEK inhibitors and anti-CTLA4 drugs that have tripled the number of melanoma patients who get treatment.
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Two months after that, Horsnail got the big phone call: William had a de novo mutation in his PURA gene, one that had not been inherited from either parent.
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ROS can react with DNA, forming mutations, and with collagen, leading to wrinkles.
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Fasciation may be caused by mutation, virus, bacterial infection by bacterium known as Rhodococcus fascians, or injury to the meristem or growing part of the plant by insect, animal or human.
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Children have a 50-50 chance of inheriting that gene mutation from a parent with it.
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The mutation was spotted by using Oxford’s supercomputers to analyze gene sequences from 3,000 individuals.
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The Hopkins investigators found that tumors with the defect had, on average, 1,700 mutations, compared to only 70 for tumors without the problem.
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SNP analysis will usher in the day of pharmacogenomics – custom drugs that treat each person's mutations.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mutation'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of mutation
14th century
Other Genetics Terms
MUTATION Defined for Kids
mutation
playDefinition of mutation for Students
: a change in a gene or the resulting new trait it produces in an individual
Medical Dictionary
mutation
playMedical Definition of mutation
1: a relatively permanent change in hereditary material that involves either a change in chromosome structure or number (as in translocation, deletion, duplication, or polyploidy) or a change in the nucleotide sequence of a gene's codons (as in frameshift or missense errors) and occurs either in germ cells or in somatic cells but with only those in germ cells being capable of perpetuation by sexual reproduction; also : the process of producing a mutation
2: an individual, strain, or trait resulting from mutation
Learn More about mutation
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See words that rhyme with mutation Spanish Central: Translation of mutation Nglish: Translation of mutation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of mutation for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mutation
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