In biology and especially genetics, a mutant is an organism or a 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. 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.
Mutation info
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.
For example, a collection of knockout-moss mutants can be used to identify genes with so far unknown functions.
Etymology
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. Previously, people used the word "sport" (related to spurt) to refer to abnormal specimens. The scientific usage is broader, referring to any organism differing from the wild type.
The rare mutation was spotted in the infamous death adder - one of the most venomous land snakes in the world - during a venom milking programme at the Australian Reptile Park in New South Wales... .
A RARE MUTANT snake with three sharp fangs has been discovered making its venomous bite even more deadly. Zookeepers at the Australian Reptile Park were shocked to find the third fatal fang on a death adder they’ve had for seven years ...Source ... .
I'm well aware that some of you reading this article might not have been alive when the 1990 Teenage MutantNinja Turtles movie debuted in theaters (I was only 7), but let me tell you, it was an event.