mutafacient
Definition
- Adjective:
- Capable of inducing mutation: Describes an agent, particularly an intracellular one, that has the ability to cause a genetic mutation.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Certain chemicals are considered mutafacient and must be handled with extreme care in the laboratory.
- The study focused on identifying mutafacient factors within the cellular environment.
Advanced Usage
- Scientific Context: The term is almost exclusively used in specialized scientific fields like genetics, molecular biology, and toxicology to describe mutagenic agents.
- Researchers screened the compound to determine if it possessed mutafacient properties.
Variants and Related Words
- Mutagenic (adj): Having the ability to cause genetic mutation. This is a more common synonym.
- UV radiation is a well-known mutagenic agent.
- Mutagen (n): An agent that causes genetic mutation.
- Cigarette smoke contains many mutagens.
Synonyms
- Mutagenic: Causing genetic mutation.
Antonyms
- Non-mutagenic: Not causing genetic mutation.
Adjective
-
capable of inducing mutation (used mainly of intracellular agents)
