In biology and especially genetics, a mutant is an individual, organism, or new genetic character, arising or resulting from an instance of mutation, which is a base-pair sequence change within the DNA of a gene or chromosome of an organism resulting in the creation of a new character or trait not found in the wild type. The natural occurrence of genetic mutations is integral to the process of evolution. The study of mutants is an integral part of biology, by understanding the effect that a mutation in a gene has, it is possible to establish the normal function of that gene.[2] In some organisms mutants can be created by gene targeting to assess the function of any given gene. This experimental approach is called reverse genetics[3]. For example, a collection of knockout moss mutants can be used to identify genes with so far unknown functions [4].
Etymology [link]
Although not all mutations have a noticeable phenotypic effect, the common usage of the word mutant is generally a pejorative term only used for noticeable mutations.[5] The scientific usage is broader, referring to any organism differing from the wild type.
Mutants should not be confused with organisms born with developmental abnormalities, which are caused by errors during morphogenesis. In a developmental abnormality, the DNA of the organism is unchanged and the abnormality cannot be passed on to progeny. Conjoined twins are the result of developmental abnormalities.
Chemicals that cause developmental abnormalities are called teratogens; these may also cause mutations, but their effect on development is not related to mutations. Chemicals that induce mutations are called mutagens. Most mutagens are also considered to be carcinogens.
References [link]
- ^ Egener et al. BMC Plant Biology 2002 2:6 doi:10.1186/1471-2229-2-6
- ^ https://www.pnas.org/content/68/9/2112.abstract Clock Mutants of Drosophila melanogaster
- ^ Ralf Reski (1998): Physcomitrella and Arabidopsis: the David and Goliath of reverse genetics. Trends in Plant Science 3, 209-210 doi:10.1016/S1360-1385(98)01257-6
- ^ Egener et al. BMC Plant Biology 2002 2:6 doi:10.1186/1471-2229-2-6
- ^ Mutant. (n.d.). The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved March 05, 2008, from Dictionary.com website: https://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mutant
External links [link]
https://wn.com/Mutant
Mutant (album)
Mutant is the second studio album by Venezuelan electronic music producer Arca. It was released on November 20, 2015 via Mute.
Critical reception
Mutant received widespread critical acclaim from contemporary music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 81, based on 21 reviews, which indicates "universal acclaim".
Mark Richardson of Pitchfork Media gave the album a very positive review, stating, "Compared to Xen, Mutant feels less composed and less indebted to classical music. With many tracks on the former album you could squint a little bit and imagine them being performed by a daring new music ensemble, à la Aphex Twin with Alarm Will Sound. But Mutant leans toward soundscape, avoiding proper songs." Richardson concludes, "On Mutant, Ghersi turns a fixation on porousness and instability into a kind of spiritual pursuit."
Writing for Exclaim!, Daryl Keating said Mutant "is an album that is eventually rewarding, but only to those who are determined to follow its scattered pathway to the satisfying, aggregate end."
Mutant (fictional)
The concept of a mutant is a common trope in comic books and science fiction. The new phenotypes that appear in fictional mutations generally go far beyond what is typically seen in biological mutants and often result in the mutated life form exhibiting superhuman abilities or qualities.
Gage Comics
In The Gage Team world, mutants are humans or other known species in the universe that, due to some experiment or other accident, have superhuman capabilities. These mutants are not called mutants, however. Unnaturals are mutants with ordinary superhuman powers, such as super-strength and super-speed. Super-Unnaturals are mutants that have the ability to change their form (Invisibility is considered an Unnatural power). Mutants that have received their powers from a Crystal are called Powerlings. Ultralings are mutants that have been received their powers from two Crystals.
Marvel Comics
In Marvel Comics, genetic mutation has been used as an explanation for super-powers since the 1950s. Mutants have played a major role in Marvel comics, particularly the X-Men and related series. In the Marvel Comics universe, they are a heavily persecuted minority. The Marvel Universe redefines the term to beings who are in a higher stage of evolution known as "Homo superior" and are not yet accepted by the human race.
