What it means
A change in the sequence of DNA. Some are inherited from a parent and are in every cell, such as the BRCA mutations that raise the risk of breast and ovarian cancer; others happen during life in one group of cells, from aging, radiation, smoking or chance. Many mutations do nothing; some cause disease, including cancer. Germs mutate too, which is how bacteria become resistant to antibiotics.
At a glance
| Spanish | mutación |
|---|---|
| Also written | mutations |
Related terms
antibiotic resistance
The ability of bacteria to survive an antibiotic that used to kill them or stop their growth.
nucleic acid
A large molecule, DNA or RNA, that carries genetic information in living cells.
ovarian cancer
Cancer that starts in the ovaries or in the nearby fallopian tubes.
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid: the molecule in cells that carries the genetic instructions for growth and function.