mutation | meaning of mutation in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English | LDOCE

From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary EnglishRelated topics: Biology, Microbes, genetics, biochemmutationmu‧ta‧tion /mjuːˈteɪʃən/ ●○○ noun [countable, uncountable]    1 HBa change in the genetic structure of an animal or plant that makes it different from others of the same kind2 technical a change in a speech sound, especially a vowel, because of the sound of the one next to itExamples from the Corpusmutation• A second bug experienced a mutation that allowed it to make use of the acetate excreted from the first.• For the last 20 years researchers have been able to calculate genome sizes and mutation rates.• By far the shakiest part of the calculation is the average mutation rate.• Previously, disease-causing mutations have been linked to rare or incurable disorders, providing often debatable benefits to small numbers of people.• A minor mutation should be deemed an eccentricity and nothing more.• Living organisms have a similar tradeoff in deciding how much mutation and innovation is needed to keep up with a changing environment.• If mutagens like cosmic rays are present then all normal mutation rates are boosted.• The other mode depends on occasional small mutations, like the changes in the parameters of protozoa.