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![[-- mutation --]](Images/Terms/mutation.gif){kind=small}
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| defined: |
A permanent structural alteration in DNA. In most cases, such 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.
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| explained: |
Listen to a detailed explanation.
Lindsay Middelton, R.N., of the National Human Genome Research Institute's Medical Genetics Branch, defines mutation. |
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| illustrated: | View illustration | |
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related terms: |
cancer, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) | |
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