a permanent structural alteration in DNA. In most cases, DNA changes either have no effect or cause harm, but occasionally a mutation can improve an organism's chance of surviving and passing the beneficial change on to its descendants
A permanent change in a cell's genetic material (DNA). Can be the result of natural errors that occur during thecell division process, or can be caused by external factors such as radiation, chemicals, or viruses.
(genetics) any event that changes genetic structure; any alteration in the inherited nucleic acid sequence of the genotype of an organism
a permanent change in the sequence of bases
A change in the genetic material (DNA, or RNA in the case of some viruses) resulting in new or rearranged hereditary determinants. Mutations are rare, random events in which the base sequence of the nucleic acid molecule is changed. The frequency of mutations may be increased by chemicals or radiation.
A change in hereditary characteristic due to a permanent change in a gene.
An alteration in the nucleotide sequence of a DNA molecule; often from one allelic form of a gene to another allele alternative.
A change in genetic material, usually in a single gene.
A chemical change in the genes of a cell which cause it to have a different function.
a change in the nucleotide sequence of a DNA molecule. Genetic mutations are a kind of genetic polymorphism. The term "mutation," as opposed to "polymorphism," is generally used to refer to changes in DNA sequence which are not present in most individuals of a species and either have been associated with disease (or risk of disease) or have resulted from damage inflicted by external agents (such as viruses or radiation).
An inheritable alteration in DNA or RNA which results in a change in the structure, sequence, or function of a gene.
Sudden change in the chromosomal DNA of an individual gene. It may produce inherited changes in descendants. Mutation in some organisms can be made more frequent by irradiation (though this has never been demonstrated in humans).
a change in the genetic material, i.e., in the basic structure of the DNA of a cell. Mutations can occur in the germline, ie., be present at birth and found in all cells, or can occur after birth in one or a few cells – somatic mutation. See Germline, Mutation and Somatic mutation.