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Definition

noun, plural: gene mutations

A genetic change at the level of the genes; a change in the nitrogenous base sequences.

Supplement

Gene mutations may occur spontaneously during replication (called spontaneous mutations) or they may be induced through mutagens (called induced mutations).

Gene mutations based on the mechanism that caused it are as follows:

• base pair substitution
• frame shift mutation

Word origin: gene + mutation

Compare:

• chromosomal mutation