Point Mutation (Noun)
Meaning
(genetics) a mutation due to an intramolecular reorganization of a gene.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural events.
Examples
- The recent breakthrough in genetic research focused on studying the effects of point mutations on gene expression and their implications for inherited diseases.
- Geneticists discovered a critical point mutation in the BRCA1 gene that significantly increases the risk of breast cancer in individuals who carry the altered gene.
- Point mutations can have devastating effects on an organism's physical traits, as seen in the severe cases of patients suffering from the condition caused by the specific mutation.
- In the case of the antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria, a single point mutation in the antibiotic target gene was responsible for its newfound resistance.
- By analyzing the point mutations present in the viral genome, researchers can track the spread of the infectious disease and monitor potential outbreaks more effectively.