Mutation Meaning
/mjuˈteɪʃən/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounAny alteration or change.
nounAny heritable change of the base-pair sequence of genetic material.
Sentence Examples
There are no reports on this mutation because such a mutant wouldn't even be born.
Without the random mutation of genes there would be no evolution.
CEFR Practice Quiz
A single random ____ in the DNA caused the plant to be completely albino.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A rare genetic ____ caused the flower to grow with white petals instead of its usual bright red color, making it a very interesting specimen.
Word Origin & History
Late 14th century as Middle English mutacioun, from Latin mūtātiō, both directly and via Old French mutacion.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Plant breeding is always a numbers game.[…]The wild species we use are rich in genetic variation, […]. In addition, we are looking for rare alleles, so the more plants we try, the better. These rarities may be new mutations, or they can be existing ones that are neutral—or are even selected against—in a wild population. A good example is mutations that disrupt seed dispersal, leaving the seeds on the heads long after they are ripe."
— 2013 May-June, David Van Tassel, Lee DeHaan, “Wild Plants to the Rescue”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 3, archived from the original on 14 Aug 2013:
"He added, in an email to CNN, that “the collection of increasingly large and well curated medical datasets has enabled AI tools to predict genetic mutations from imaging phenotypes reducing the burden of healthcare systems and improving the way we care for patients.” Phenotypes are observable characteristics."
— 2019 January 8, Nina Avramova, “AI technology can identify genetic diseases by looking at your face, study says”, in CNN, archived from the original on 27 Nov 2022:
"Birdwatchers would enjoy a host of sparrows, a herd of swans, a descent of woodpeckers, a herd of wrens, and mutation of thrushes."
— 1984, Virginia Wildlife, volume 45, Virginia Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries:
"Names for a group: A flute or mutation of thrushes."
— 2010, Doug Bennet, Tim Tiner, The Complete Up North: A Guide to Ontario's Wilderness from Black Flies to the Northern Lights, page 57:
"A Mutation of Thrushes
The authors of the books of venery were not predicting Darwin with this term, but taking a cue from a common fable of the time."
— 2013, Jason Sacher, A Compendium of Collective Nouns: From an Armory of Aardvarks to a Zeal of Zebras, page 196:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
A single random ____ in the DNA caused the plant to be completely albino.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A rare genetic ____ caused the flower to grow with white petals instead of its usual bright red color, making it a very interesting specimen.