
Mutation | Definition, Causes, Types, & Facts | Britannica
Dec 4, 2025 · Mutation, an alteration in the genetic material (the genome) of a cell of a living organism or of a virus that is more or less permanent and that can be transmitted to the cell’s …
How Mutations Affect Cells and Lead to Disease
Aug 4, 2025 · Understanding how mutations arise, how they affect cells, and why they sometimes lead to illness is one of the most fundamental quests in biology and medicine. It is a story that …
Mutation - Wikipedia
If DNA damage remains in a cell, transcription of a gene may be prevented and thus translation into a protein may also be blocked. DNA replication may also be blocked and/or the cell may …
Mutation
2 days ago · Mutations can result from errors in DNA replication during cell division, exposure to mutagens or a viral infection. Germline mutations (that occur in eggs and sperm) can be …
What Is a Genetic Mutation? Definition & Types - Cleveland Clinic
A genetic mutation changes the information your cells need to form and function. Your genes are responsible for making proteins that tell your body what physical characteristics you should have.
What is a mutation and what causes mutations? - YourGenome
A mutation is a change that occurs in our DNA sequence. This can be caused by normal processes inside the cell or by environmental factors, such as UV light.
10.1: Mutations - Causes and Significance - Biology LibreTexts
In the living cell, DNA undergoes frequent chemical change, especially when it is being replicated (in S phase of the eukaryotic cell cycle). Most of these changes are quickly repaired. Those …
Genetic Mutations: Types, Causes, and Cellular Repair Mechanisms
Apr 29, 2025 · Explore the nuances of genetic mutations, their origins, and the cellular processes that repair DNA to maintain genetic integrity.
DNA Variants and Mutations - Special Subjects - Merck Manual ...
Mutations (including polymorphisms) involve random changes in DNA. Many mutations have little effect on cell function. Some mutations can change cell function, often in a detrimental way, …
The causes of mutations - Understanding Evolution
Mutations happen for several reasons. Most of the mutations that we think matter to evolution are “naturally-occurring.” For example, when a cell divides, it makes a copy of its DNA — and …