Term: mutation
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M04074

Definition:
A heritable change in the nucleotide sequence of genomic DNA (or RNA in RNA viruses), or in the number of genes or chromosomes in a cell, which may occur spontaneously or be brought about by chemical mutagens or by radiation (induced mutation).

Related Terms:
1) nucleotide (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.N04255).
2) dna (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.D01597).
3) rna (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05386).
4) genes (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.G02604).
5) chromosomes (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01077).
6) sequence (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.ST06775).

Source: PAC, 1992, 64, 143. 'Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992)' on page 161 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199264010143)

Citation: 'mutation' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M04074

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