What does mutating mean?
Mutating describes something that is undergoing change, especially an alteration in DNA, a gene, a chromosome, or another biological material. It can also refer to an entity that produces such a change, though “mutagenic” is often preferred when the emphasis is on causing mutations. In genetics, the word may imply that a sequence is changing rather than merely carrying a stable inherited variation. Outside biology, “mutating” is less formal and less common than “changing” or “transforming,” but it can effectively convey continuous alteration. The term is especially associated with the study of hereditary variation, disease, evolution, and DNA repair. A mutating gene may acquire a new sequence, while mutating cells can transmit altered instructions when they divide. The word is consequently more specific than simply “changing” and more process-oriented than “mutation,” which names the alteration itself.
adjectiveUndergoing or causing change, especially genetic alteration. In biology, it refers to DNA, genes, or cells whose material is being changed or modified.
- Undergoing genetic change, especially in DNA or a gene.
- Changing or modifying something in the process of causing a mutation.
"The researchers identified a mutating gene associated with the rare disorder."
"Mutating cells can pass altered genetic instructions to their descendants."
"The software is useful for mutating a draft until it matches the desired form."
Every mutating strand of DNA carries a message written by chance, variation, and natural selection.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mutating come from?
The word belongs to a family derived from Latin mutare, meaning “to change.” In English, mutate developed in the 16th century in the sense of “to change” and later acquired its important scientific use for changes in genetic material. The present participle mutating follows the same lineage through mutation, mutable, and mutator.
Related word forms
How mutating is actually used
In biological contexts, the word is usually used attributively, as in “mutating DNA” or “a mutating virus.” It is less common as a standalone predicate adjective than the fuller phrase “undergoing mutation.”
Easily confused with mutating
A mutation is a change in genetic material, whereas a mutating gene, cell, or DNA sequence is undergoing such a change.