mutation
gb/mjutˈeɪʃən/ us/mjutˈeɪʃən/
B2
English
~ 5600
mutáció, mutáns, variáns, átalakulás, hangváltozás
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
1
mutáció
B2
Usage pattern:
a mutation in [a gene / a cell / a virus]
Exposure to radiation can increase the risk of mutation in human cells.
A sugárzásnak való kitettség növelheti az emberi sejtekben kialakuló mutációk kockázatát.
The scientist studied a mutation in the gene that controls eye color.
A tudós a szemszínt szabályozó gén egyik mutációját tanulmányozta.
Most mutations are harmless, but some can lead to serious disease.
The virus went through a mutation that made it easier to spread.
Certain chemicals are known to cause mutation in plant DNA.
Learner examples
A mutation in this gene can cause cancer.
Ennek a génnek egy mutációja rákot okozhat.
The new drug may stop harmful mutation in the cells.
Az új gyógyszer megállíthatja a káros mutációk kialakulását a sejtekben.
Radiation can lead to mutation in animals and people.
This disease is caused by a small mutation in the DNA.
Scientists watch the virus for any new mutation.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "mutation" with "mutant". "Mutation" is the change in the genes, while a "mutant" is an organism or cell that has that change. Some learners also try to use it as a verb (*to mutation*); the correct verb is "mutate".
Meaning
change in DNA or genes
Collocations
genetic mutation
|random mutation
|harmful mutation
|point mutation
|cause a mutation
|mutation rate
Synonyms
genetic change (More explicit and less technical-sounding; directly states that the change is genetic.)
Antonyms
genetic stability (Emphasizes that the DNA stays the same and does not change over time.)
Themes
science
|medicine
|biology
|health
Definition
A change in the DNA or genes of a cell or living thing.
A change in the DNA sequence or genetic material of a cell or organism, which can be passed on when the cell divides or the organism reproduces.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
2
Usage pattern:
a mutation of [a virus / a gene / a strain]
Doctors are concerned about a new mutation of the virus.
Az orvosok aggódnak a vírus egy új mutánsa miatt.
This mutation is found in about five percent of the population.
Ez a variáns a népesség körülbelül öt százalékánál fordul elő.
Researchers discovered a mutation that makes the bacteria resistant to antibiotics.
Patients who carry this mutation have a higher risk of heart disease.
The latest outbreak was caused by a highly infectious mutation.
Learner examples
A new mutation of the virus spread very fast.
A vírus egy új mutánsa nagyon gyorsan elterjedt.
She has a mutation that affects her blood.
Olyan genetikai variánst hordoz, amely a vérét érinti.
This mutation is not common in children.
The doctor tested him for a known mutation.
This mutation makes the disease more serious.
Common mistake:
Learners may not see the difference between the process (a mutation happening) and the result (a specific mutation as a form). In this sense, "mutation" is a particular version, similar to a "type" or "variant".
Meaning
organism or gene with a change
Collocations
a new mutation
|rare mutation
|virus mutation
|cancer-causing mutation
|carry a mutation
|identify a mutation
Synonyms
variant (Commonly used for different forms of a virus or strain; broader and not always limited to genetics.)
Antonyms
original strain (Refers to the first, unchanged form before mutations appeared.)
Themes
science
|medicine
|biology
|health
Definition
A special form of a living thing, virus, or gene that has changed in its DNA.
An organism, cell, virus, or specific gene that shows a particular genetic change, often discussed as one version among several.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
3
átalakulás
B1
Usage pattern:
a mutation of [a system / a story / a tradition]
The internet has caused a profound mutation of the media landscape.
Az internet a médiakörnyezet mélyreható átalakulását idézte elő.
Over time, the festival underwent a mutation from a local event into a global celebration.
Idővel a fesztivál átalakuláson ment keresztül: helyi eseményből globális ünneppé vált.
The novel shows the mutation of a simple rumor into a dangerous lie.
Urbanization has led to a mutation of traditional village life.
The company is going through a mutation of its entire business model.
Learner examples
There has been a slow mutation of the city over many years.
A város sok év alatt lassú átalakuláson ment keresztül.
The custom is a modern mutation of an old tradition.
Ez a szokás egy régi hagyomány modern változata.
The story is a mutation of a classic tale.
We see a mutation of values in this society.
The system is in a time of mutation and change.
Common mistake:
Learners often do not realize this more general, formal sense exists and may think "mutation" can only refer to genes. In general writing, you can sometimes use "change" or "transformation" instead, which sound more neutral.
Meaning
major change in form or nature
Collocations
a strange mutation
|a social mutation
|mutation of tradition
|mutation of the system
|historical mutation
Synonyms
transformation (More common in everyday language; does not have the scientific flavor of "mutation".)
Antonyms
continuity (Focuses on things staying the same without major change.)
Themes
society
|culture
|history
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A big change in how something is or looks, usually over time.
A significant change in the character, structure, or form of something, especially over a period of time.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
4
hangváltozás
C1
mutáció
C1
Usage pattern:
a mutation of [a vowel / a consonant] in [a language]
In Old English, vowel mutation created many irregular plural forms.
Az óangolban a magánhangzó-mutáció sok rendhagyó többes számú alakot eredményezett.
Welsh shows a complex system of consonant mutation at the beginnings of words.
A walesi nyelvben a szóeleji mássalhangzó-mutációk összetett rendszere figyelhető meg.
The teacher used examples from German to explain i-mutation.
Consonant mutation in Celtic languages can be difficult for learners to master.
This dialect does not show the same vowel mutation as the standard language.
Learner examples
In this language, there is a vowel mutation in the plural form.
Ebben a nyelvben a többes számú alakban magánhangzó-mutáció figyelhető meg.
Welsh has a special kind of consonant mutation.
A walesi nyelvben sajátos mássalhangzó-mutáció létezik.
The book gives many examples of sound mutation.
We studied mutation of vowels in Old English words.
Consonant mutation changes the first sound of the word.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with genetic mutation. In linguistics, "mutation" is only about changes in speech sounds, not about DNA or biology.
Meaning
change in a speech sound
Collocations
vowel mutation
|consonant mutation
|i-mutation
|sound mutation
|Celtic mutation
Synonyms
sound change (A broader term for any change in pronunciation over time; not limited to specific mutation patterns.)
Antonyms
sound stability (A descriptive opposite where the sound does not change across forms or over time.)
Themes
language
|linguistics
|science
|communication
Definition
In language study, a regular change in a vowel or consonant sound in words.
In linguistics, a regular change in the sound of a vowel or consonant in a word, often caused by sounds next to it or by grammatical patterns.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mutation
IPA
GB/mjutˈeɪʃən/
US/mjutˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
muta - tion (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tion)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: mutation
- Plural: mutation, mutations
Word family
Forms
mutations
noun
Related words
mutational
adjective
mutagen
noun
Negative and opposite forms
immutable
adjective
Advanced or less common
Expressions
beneficial mutation
1/bˌɛnɪfˈɪʃəl mjutˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
mutation that gives an advantage
A change in DNA that helps a living thing live or reproduce better in its environment.
Examples
- A beneficial mutation allowed these plants to survive in salty soil.
- Over many generations, beneficial mutations become more common in a population.
- This beneficial mutation makes the bacteria resistant to the drug.
genetic mutation
1/d͡ʒənˈɛtɪk mjutˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
change in an organism's genes
A change in the DNA of a gene or in all the DNA of a living thing.
Examples
- The disease is caused by a single genetic mutation.
- Scientists are trying to understand how this genetic mutation affects brain development.
- Some genetic mutations can protect people from certain infections.
harmful mutation
1/hˈɑɹmfəl mjutˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
mutation that causes problems
A change in DNA that is bad for the health or life of a living thing.
Examples
- Some cancers are linked to harmful mutations passed down in families.
- Natural selection tends to remove harmful mutations from the population.
- The test looks for harmful mutations in several important genes.
mutation rate
1/mjutˈeɪʃən ɹˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
technical
how often mutations occur
How often mutations happen in genes or in a group of living things in a certain time.
Examples
- The virus has a high mutation rate, which makes it hard to control.
- Scientists measured the mutation rate in different types of cells.
- A low mutation rate can slow down the speed of evolution.
point mutation
1/pˈɔɪnt mjutˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
mutation in one DNA base
A mutation where only one small part (one base) of the DNA is changed.
Examples
- A single point mutation can sometimes cause a serious genetic disorder.
- The test can detect even a tiny point mutation in the gene.
- This point mutation changes one amino acid in the protein.
random mutation
1/ɹˈændəm mjutˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
genetic change that happens by chance
A change in DNA that happens by chance, not because the organism needs it.
Examples
- Evolution depends on random mutation and natural selection.
- This trait appeared after a random mutation in the population.
- Random mutations create new genetic variation in a species.
silent mutation
1/sˈaɪlənt mjutˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
mutation that does not change protein
A DNA change that does not change the protein that is made from that DNA.
Examples
- Most silent mutations have no effect on the organism.
- The researchers found a silent mutation in the gene but it did not cause disease.
- Even a silent mutation can sometimes affect how a gene is used.