defined:

A permanent structural alteration in DNA. In most cases, DNA changes either have no effect or cause harm, but occasionally a mutation can improve an organism's chance of surviving and passing the beneficial change on to its descendants.

explained:

Listen to a detailed explanation.

Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, defines mutation.

illustrated:

View illustration

related
terms:

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

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