mutation

noun

mu·ta·tion | \ myü-ˈtā-shən

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

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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 on the Web

The jump also activates mutations that randomly emerge in the young. — Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, "Review: ‘Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey’ brings a different past to life," 30 Aug. 2019 Researchers have developed gene therapies that can alter the course of deadly diseases with a single treatment, as well as effective cancer drugs targeted at specific mutations. — Max Nisen, The Denver Post, "Guest Commentary: The government wants your DNA — don’t run away," 25 Aug. 2019 Fedratinib targets a mutation called JAK2 that drives certain kinds of myelofibrosis. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Once shelved as too risky, blood cancer drug discovered in San Diego gets FDA approval," 19 Aug. 2019 Every now and then, however, a virus gets a mutation that benefits it. — Richard Preston, The New Yorker, "Is Ebola Evolving Into a More Deadly Virus?," 7 Aug. 2019 Because people with this mutation on the APOE gene are already at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s, lower levels of amyloid-42/amyloid-40 in the blood indicate an even higher risk of developing amyloid in the brain. — Katherine Ellen Foley, Quartz, "There are a lot of promising blood tests for Alzheimer’s—here’s how to keep track," 1 Aug. 2019 This could potentially act as a barrier to adding any new functions to these molecules, since new functions would involve additional RNA, increasing the chance that a mutation somewhere would make the RNA inviable. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "New system shows the earliest life could cooperate despite “cheaters”," 3 Sep. 2018 About 20 percent to 25 percent of patients with hereditary breast cancers have a BRCA mutation. — Linda A. Johnson, Houston Chronicle, "FDA OKs 1st drug aimed at women with inherited breast cancer," 13 Jan. 2018 Certain versions of these genes have mutations that hinder the body’s ability to repair damaged DNA. — Lauran Neergaard, Los Angeles Times, "More women should consider BRCA test to assess breast cancer risk, new guidelines say," 20 Aug. 2019

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.

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More Definitions for mutation

mutation

noun

mu·ta·tion | \ myü-ˈtā-shən

Kids Definition of mutation

: a change in a gene or the resulting new trait it produces in an individual

mutation

noun

mu·ta·tion | \ myü-ˈtā-shən

Medical 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

Other Words from mutation

mutational \ -shnəl, -shən-ᵊl

\ adjective

mutationally \ -ē

\ adverb

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mutation

Definition of mutation

Other Words from mutation

Examples of mutation in a Sentence

First Known Use of mutation

Kids Definition of mutation

Medical Definition of mutation

mutation

Definition of mutation

Other Words from mutation

Examples of mutation in a Sentence

First Known Use of mutation

Kids Definition of mutation

Medical Definition of mutation

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