mutations

Cultural  

1. Changes in chromosomes or genes that cause offspring to have characteristics different from those of their parents. Mutations can be caused by the effects of chemicals, radiation, or even ordinary heat on DNA. Mutations produce some of the differences between members of a species on which natural selection acts.

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Example Sentences

Dr. Heather Richardson, a breast cancer surgeon in Beverly Hills, said she’s seeing more women who don’t carry genetic mutations nevertheless anxious to have their breasts removed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

A DNA-editing technique, base editing, was used on early-stage embryos to fix disease-causing mutations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

In Egli’s study, nearly 80% of embryos became mosaics, meaning if those embryos grew into babies, they would likely still have cells with the disease-causing mutations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

In deep mutational scanning, scientists create many mutations in a gene or region of the genome and then measure how those changes affect the organism.

From Science Daily • May 29, 2026

Many chemicals used as pesticides — herbicides as well as insecticides — belong to this group of substances that have the ability to damage the chromosomes, interfere with normal cell division, or cause mutations.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson