mutagenesis

Friendly

Word: Mutagenesis

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Mutagenesis refers to the process or event that causes a mutation, which is a change in the DNA of an organism. Mutations can happen naturally or can be caused by certain chemicals or environmental factors.

Explanation for New Learners:

Think of mutagenesis as something that can change the instructions in the "recipe book" of living things (DNA). Just like how changing a few ingredients in a recipe can create a different dish, mutagenesis can lead to different traits in plants, animals, or even humans.

Usage Instructions:

• Mutagenesis is often used in scientific contexts, especially in genetics, biology, and medicine.
• When using this word, it usually describes the cause of mutations rather than the mutations themselves.

Example Sentence:

"The scientist studied the effects of radiation on plants to understand the process of mutagenesis."

Advanced Usage:

In advanced discussions, mutagenesis can be linked to topics like cancer research, genetic engineering, and evolutionary biology. Scientists may explore how mutagenesis can lead to both beneficial adaptations and harmful diseases.

Word Variants:

• Mutagen: A substance or factor that causes mutagenesis.
• Mutant: An organism that has undergone mutation.

Different Meanings:

While “mutagenesis” specifically refers to the process of causing mutations, it is not commonly used in everyday language outside of scientific discussions.

Synonyms:

• Mutation-causing event
• Genetic alteration process

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no widely recognized idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to “mutagenesis,” as it is a specialized scientific term. However, you might encounter phrases like "change in the gene pool" when discussing genetic variations.

Summary:

Mutagenesis is the scientific term for the events that lead to changes in genetic material.

Academic

Noun

1. an event capable of causing a mutation