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Medical Dictionary

mutation

Pronunciation (myū-tā′shŭn)
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  1. A change in the chemistry of a gene that is perpetuated in subsequent divisions of the cell in which it occurs; a change in the sequence of base pairs in the chromosomal molecule.
  2. De Vries, term for the sudden production of a species, as distinguished from variation.

[L. muto, pp. -atus, to change]

WebMD Medical Reference from "Stedman's Medical Dictionary"

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