Mutation
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- An alteration in DNA structure or sequence of a gene. (See Point mutation.)
Susan Allender-Hagedorn and Charles Hagedorn - Cite This Source - This Definition - Any change in the genome with respect to a defined wild type. Can occur at the level of ploidy, karyotype, or nucleotide sequence. Most of the latter mutations are silent (i.e. cannot be associated with any change in phenotype ), either because the DNA sequence affected is in the non-coding part of the genome, or because the specific change does not alter the function of a coding sequence. See: back mutation, single nucleotide polymorphism.
UN Food and Agriculture Organization - Cite This Source - This Definition - Any inheritable change in DNA sequence.
USDA CSREES - Cite This Source - This Definition - amorph, back mutation, deletion, down promoter mutation, frameshift mutation, heteroallele, hypomorph, insertion mutation, Insertion mutations, mutable gene, mutation pressure, neutral mutation, neutral theory, null mutation, Point mutation, polar mutation, silent mutation, Site-directed mutagenesis, somatic hypermutation, spontaneous mutation
- 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. See also
National Human Genome Research Institute - Cite This Source - This Definition - Any heritable change in DNA sequence. See also: polymorphism
Human Genome Project - Cite This Source - This Definition - Carcinogen, Directed evolution, Mutagen, Mutagenicity, sickle cell disease, Teratogenic