genetic mutation
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- (Genetics) A change in genetic structure: A
genetic mutationis any event that alters the genetic material (DNA or RNA sequence) of an organism. - An alteration in the inherited nucleic acid sequence: It refers specifically to a change in the sequence of nucleotides that constitutes the genotype, which can be passed to offspring.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- A single
genetic mutationcan sometimes cause a hereditary disease. - Scientists studied the
genetic mutationresponsible for the new trait in the plant population. - The
genetic mutationwas spontaneous and not inherited from either parent.
Advanced Usage
- "to carry a genetic mutation": to possess a specific alteration in one's genes, which may or may not cause a visible effect.
- She carries a
genetic mutationthat increases her risk for certain cancers.
- "to undergo a genetic mutation": to experience a change in genetic sequence.
- The virus appears to have undergone a
genetic mutation, making it more transmissible.
Variants and Related Words
- Mutate (verb): To undergo or cause to undergo a mutation.
- The bacteria mutated rapidly.
- Mutant (noun/adjective): (As a noun) An organism or gene resulting from mutation. (As an adjective) Resulting from or showing the effect of mutation.
- The mutant strain was resistant to the antibiotic.
- Mutagen (noun): A physical or chemical agent that causes genetic mutation.
- Ultraviolet light is a known mutagen.
Synonyms
- Mutation: The more general term, often used interchangeably with .
- Genetic alteration: A formal synonym emphasizing the change in genetic material.
- Sequence variant: A neutral term often used in genomic studies to describe a difference from a reference sequence.
Related Phrases
- Point mutation: A mutation affecting a single nucleotide base.
- A point mutation changed a single amino acid in the protein.
- Frameshift mutation: A mutation caused by insertions or deletions that shifts the way the sequence is read.
- The frameshift mutation rendered the gene non-functional.
- Somatic mutation: A mutation that occurs in non-reproductive cells and is not inherited.
- The cancer was driven by a somatic
genetic mutation.
- Germline mutation: A mutation in reproductive cells that can be passed to offspring.
- The disorder is caused by a germline
genetic mutation.
Noun
- (genetics) any event that changes genetic structure; any alteration in the inherited nucleic acid sequence of the genotype of an organism