Mutation

A discrete change in an organism's genetic material brought about by factors other than the processes of genetic recombination, e.g., a “copying” mistake. Such mutations are random and occur irrespective of whether they would be useful to or adaptive for the individual organism – involving accidental changes in the DNA sequence of the organism, an error taking place when the molecule is copied during cell division.

An alteration which in the majority of cases involves minor differences in individual genes, such as base pair substitutions† (gene or point mutation), although gross chromosomal variations – which may involve a large number of genes – also occur (macro-mutations).

†  or deletions, additions, or translocations.

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