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Mutation
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Mutation A change in DNA that alters a gene and thus the gene's product, leading in some cases to deformity or disease. Mutations can occur spontaneously during cell division or can be triggered by environmental stresses, such as sunlight, radiation, and chemicals.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Gene
1. A unit of DNA that carries information for the biosynthesis of a specific product in the cell. 2. Ultimate unit by which inheritable characteristics are transmitted to succeeding generations in all living organisms. Genes are contained by, and arranged along the length of, the chromosome. The gene is composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Each chromosome of each species has a definite number and arrangement of genes, which govern both the structure and metabolic functions of the cells and thus of the entire organism.
Disease
Illness or sickness often characterized by typical patient problems (symptoms) and physical findings (signs). Disruption sequence: The events that occur when a fetus that is developing normally is subjected to a destructive agent such as the rubella (German measles) virus.
Cell
Fundamental structural unit of all life. The cell consists primarily of an outer plasma membrane, which separates it from the environment; the genetic material (DNA), which encodes heritable information for the maintainance of life; and the cytoplasm, a heterogeneous assemblage of ions, molecules, and fluid.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Mutable
Transient and able to be changed.
Mutamycin
Mutamycin is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) approved in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): mitomycin.
Mutate
Change in the genetic material (DNA) inside the cell.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Mitochondrial heteroplasmy
An atypical condition characterized by the presence of more than one type of mitochondrial DNA in a single individual. Normally, each individual has only one type of mitochondrial DNA, inherited from his or her mother through the egg at fertilization. (Mitochondria from the sperm are systematically eliminated by the egg at fertilization.)Cloned organisms may exhibit mitochondrial heteroplasmy (having a mixture of mitochondria from both the donor cell and the recipient egg) because this elimination system may be bypassed during the cloning process.
Mitochondrion
Plural: mitochondria. A cellular structure in the cytoplasm that provides energy to the cell. Each cell contains many mitochondria. In humans, a single mitochondrion contains 37 genes on a circular mitochondrial DNA, compared with about 35,000 genes contained in the nuclear DNA.
Monozygotic twins
Twins derived from one egg and one sperm (often called identical twins).
Morula
The preimplantation embryo 3-4 days after fertilization, when it is a solid mass composed of 12-32 cells (blastomeres). After the eight-cell stage, the cells of the preimplantation embryo begin to adhere to each other more tightly, becoming "compacted". The resulting embryo resembles a mulberry and is called a morula (Latin: morus = mulberry).
Multipotent stem cells
Stem cells from the embryo, fetus, or adult, whose progeny are of multiple differentiated cell types and usually, but not necessarily, all of a particular tissue, organ, or physiological system.
Mutation
Magnesium sulfate
One of a group of drugs called tocolytics used to stop preterm labor.
Marasmus
A severe case of malnutrition.
Maternal and child health services
Programs and facilities focused on caring for mothers and children, oftenproviding pre- and post-natal care, infant care, and birth control.
Maternal and fetal specialists
OB / GYNs who specialize in the care of both mother and fetus in high-risk pregnancies.
Maternal deprivation syndrome
The symptoms, including failure to thrive and slow growth and development,suffered by an infant who is deprived of physical and emotional contact.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Gene
1. A unit of DNA that carries information for the biosynthesis of a specific product in the cell. 2. Ultimate unit by which inheritable characteristics are transmitted to succeeding generations in all living organisms. Genes are contained by, and arranged along the length of, the chromosome. The gene is composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Each chromosome of each species has a definite number and arrangement of genes, which govern both the structure and metabolic functions of the cells and thus of the entire organism.
Disease
Illness or sickness often characterized by typical patient problems (symptoms) and physical findings (signs). Disruption sequence: The events that occur when a fetus that is developing normally is subjected to a destructive agent such as the rubella (German measles) virus.
Cell
Fundamental structural unit of all life. The cell consists primarily of an outer plasma membrane, which separates it from the environment; the genetic material (DNA), which encodes heritable information for the maintainance of life; and the cytoplasm, a heterogeneous assemblage of ions, molecules, and fluid.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Mutable
Transient and able to be changed.
Mutamycin
Mutamycin is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) approved in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): mitomycin.
Mutate
Change in the genetic material (DNA) inside the cell.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Mitochondrial heteroplasmy
An atypical condition characterized by the presence of more than one type of mitochondrial DNA in a single individual. Normally, each individual has only one type of mitochondrial DNA, inherited from his or her mother through the egg at fertilization. (Mitochondria from the sperm are systematically eliminated by the egg at fertilization.)Cloned organisms may exhibit mitochondrial heteroplasmy (having a mixture of mitochondria from both the donor cell and the recipient egg) because this elimination system may be bypassed during the cloning process.
Mitochondrion
Plural: mitochondria. A cellular structure in the cytoplasm that provides energy to the cell. Each cell contains many mitochondria. In humans, a single mitochondrion contains 37 genes on a circular mitochondrial DNA, compared with about 35,000 genes contained in the nuclear DNA.
Monozygotic twins
Twins derived from one egg and one sperm (often called identical twins).
Morula
The preimplantation embryo 3-4 days after fertilization, when it is a solid mass composed of 12-32 cells (blastomeres). After the eight-cell stage, the cells of the preimplantation embryo begin to adhere to each other more tightly, becoming "compacted". The resulting embryo resembles a mulberry and is called a morula (Latin: morus = mulberry).
Multipotent stem cells
Stem cells from the embryo, fetus, or adult, whose progeny are of multiple differentiated cell types and usually, but not necessarily, all of a particular tissue, organ, or physiological system.
Mutation
Magnesium sulfate
One of a group of drugs called tocolytics used to stop preterm labor.
Marasmus
A severe case of malnutrition.
Maternal and child health services
Programs and facilities focused on caring for mothers and children, oftenproviding pre- and post-natal care, infant care, and birth control.
Maternal and fetal specialists
OB / GYNs who specialize in the care of both mother and fetus in high-risk pregnancies.
Maternal deprivation syndrome
The symptoms, including failure to thrive and slow growth and development,suffered by an infant who is deprived of physical and emotional contact.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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