英語

mutation

gb/mjutˈeɪʃən/ us/mjutˈeɪʃən/
B2 英語
~ 5600
語義
0件の語義
名詞 technical B2 event
1

change in DNA or genes

A change in the DNA or genes of a cell or living thing.

用法パターン: a mutation in [a gene / a cell / a virus]
よくある間違い:
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".
類義語
genetic change (More explicit and less technical-sounding; directly states that the change is genetic.)
対義語
genetic stability (Emphasizes that the DNA stays the same and does not change over time.)
コロケーション
genetic mutation |random mutation |harmful mutation |point mutation |cause a mutation |mutation rate
テーマ
science |medicine |biology |health
例文
  • Exposure to radiation can increase the risk of mutation in human cells.
  • The scientist studied a mutation in the gene that controls eye color.
  • 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.
学習者向け例文
  • A mutation in this gene can cause cancer.
  • The new drug may stop harmful mutation in the cells.
  • 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.
名詞 technical B2 entity
2

organism or gene with a change

A special form of a living thing, virus, or gene that has changed in its DNA.

用法パターン: a mutation of [a virus / a gene / a strain]
よくある間違い:
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".
類義語
variant (Commonly used for different forms of a virus or strain; broader and not always limited to genetics.)
対義語
original strain (Refers to the first, unchanged form before mutations appeared.)
コロケーション
a new mutation |rare mutation |virus mutation |cancer-causing mutation |carry a mutation |identify a mutation
テーマ
science |medicine |biology |health
例文
  • Doctors are concerned about a new mutation of the virus.
  • This mutation is found in about five percent of the population.
  • 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.
学習者向け例文
  • A new mutation of the virus spread very fast.
  • She has a mutation that affects her blood.
  • This mutation is not common in children.
  • The doctor tested him for a known mutation.
  • This mutation makes the disease more serious.
名詞 formal C1 event
3

major change in form or nature

A big change in how something is or looks, usually over time.

用法パターン: a mutation of [a system / a story / a tradition]
よくある間違い:
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.
類義語
transformation (More common in everyday language; does not have the scientific flavor of "mutation".)
対義語
continuity (Focuses on things staying the same without major change.)
コロケーション
a strange mutation |a social mutation |mutation of tradition |mutation of the system |historical mutation
テーマ
society |culture |history |core_vocabulary
例文
  • The internet has caused a profound mutation of the media landscape.
  • Over time, the festival underwent a mutation from a local event into a global celebration.
  • 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.
学習者向け例文
  • There has been a slow mutation of the city over many years.
  • The custom is a modern mutation of an old tradition.
  • 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.
名詞 technical C1 event
4

change in a speech sound

In language study, a regular change in a vowel or consonant sound in words.

用法パターン: a mutation of [a vowel / a consonant] in [a language]
よくある間違い:
Learners may confuse this with genetic mutation. In linguistics, "mutation" is only about changes in speech sounds, not about DNA or biology.
類義語
sound change (A broader term for any change in pronunciation over time; not limited to specific mutation patterns.)
対義語
sound stability (A descriptive opposite where the sound does not change across forms or over time.)
コロケーション
vowel mutation |consonant mutation |i-mutation |sound mutation |Celtic mutation
テーマ
language |linguistics |science |communication
例文
  • In Old English, vowel mutation created many irregular plural forms.
  • Welsh shows a complex system of consonant mutation at the beginnings of words.
  • 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.
学習者向け例文
  • In this language, there is a vowel mutation in the plural form.
  • Welsh has a special kind of consonant mutation.
  • 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.
文法
辞書形
mutation
IPA
GB/mjutˈeɪʃən/
US/mjutˈeɪʃən/
音節・強勢
muta - tion (2音節)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tion)
活用形
Noun
  • Base: mutation
  • Plural: mutation, mutations
関連語
Forms
mutations noun
Core family
mutate verb B2 mutant noun B2
Related words
mutational adjective mutagen noun
Negative and opposite forms
immutable adjective
Advanced or less common
mutagenic adjective mutable adjective C1 mutability noun C1
表現

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.

例文
  • 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.

例文
  • 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.

例文
  • 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.

例文
  • 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.

例文
  • 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.

例文
  • 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.

例文
  • 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.

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