Research topic:mutation

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Find more facts and information on our topic page about mutation

mutation

A Dictionary of Ecology | 2004 | | © A Dictionary of Ecology 2004, originally published by Oxford University Press 2004. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

mutation
1. A change in the structure or amount of the genetic material of an organism.

2. A gene or chromosome set that has undergone a structural change. The majority of mutations are changes within individual genes, but some are gross structural changes of chromosomes or changes in the number of chromosomes per nucleus. A mutation that occurs in a body cell is called a somatic mutation: it is transmitted to all cells derived by mitosis from that cell. Mutations that occur in gametes or in cells destined to be gametes and therefore are inherited form the raw material for evolution by providing the source of all variation. Most mutations are deleterious; evolution progresses through the few that are favourable. Some mutations are recurrent: they occur repeatedly within a population or over long periods of time (as does haemophilia, for example).

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Related entries from encyclopedias, dictionaries, and thesauruses

Mutation Rate
Book article from: Genetics Mutation Rate Mutation rate refers to the frequency of new mutations per generation in an...organism or a population. Mutation rates can be determined...influencing observed mutation rates is the means by which mutations are detected, as some...
Mutation
Book article from: Biology Mutation Mutations are physical changes in genes...in the gametes (germ-line mutation). Mutations may be caused by natural events...This is called a frame-shift mutation. Frame-shift mutations almost always result in nonfunctional...
Mutations
Book article from: World of Microbiology and Immunology Mutations A mutation is any change in...the source of the mutation, the genetic alteration...individual gene . Mutations may have little...gene. Nonsense mutations are also single...product. Another mutation involves the alteration...
mutation
Book article from: The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition ...Sometimes the word mutation is used broadly...in chromosomal mutations the number of...can be a higher mutation rate of all genes...organism. Induced Mutations Mutations may...of detecting mutations that are lethal. Mutation and Evolution...
suppressor mutation
Book article from: A Dictionary of Plant Sciences suppressor mutation ( suppressor ) In genetics, a second mutation that masks the phenotypic effects of an earlier mutation. This second mutation occurs at a different site in the genome (i.e. it is not a strict reversion). Intragenic suppression...

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