mutate
Undergo cellular change
To mutate is to change form or nature, especially through genetic alteration.
Cells mutate when their DNA changes, sometimes causing disease.
The meaning extends to any significant transformation: The virus mutated into a more contagious strain, The company's mission has mutated beyond recognition.
In fiction, mutants are beings altered by radiation or other forces, typically gaining unusual abilities.
Inducing stable genetic changes
- alleleGene variant at one locus
- frameshiftAltered reading of codons
- insertionPlacing something within
- deletionRemoval of content
duplication · inversion · translocation · polymorphism · nucleotide · genotype · phenotype · carcinogenesis
Change form gradually
- transfigureChange appearance dramatically
- shapeshiftMagically change physical form
- transmogrifyChange form grotesquely
- convertChange in form or faith
metamorphose · alter · change · modify · reshape · remodel · reconfigure · transform
Fitting to new conditions
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- fitnessGood physical shape
- survivalRemaining alive against odds
- DarwinismNatural selection theory
Mutant superhero collective
- superheroPowered champion against evil
- radioactiveEmitting nuclear decay particles
- MarvelSuperhero media conglomerate
- superpowersCapabilities beyond human limits
mutagenesis
Inducing stable genetic changes
- alleleGene variant at one locus
- frameshiftAltered reading of codons
- insertionPlacing something within
deletion · duplication · inversion · translocation · polymorphism · nucleotide · genotype · phenotype · carcinogenesis · oncogene
morph
Change form gradually
- transfigureChange appearance dramatically
- shapeshiftMagically change physical form
- transmogrifyChange form grotesquely
convert · metamorphose · alter · change · modify · reshape · remodel · reconfigure · transform · shift
adaptation
Fitting to new conditions
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- fitnessGood physical shape
- survivalRemaining alive against odds
Darwinism · coevolution · divergence · phylogeny · heritability
X-Men
Mutant superhero collective
- superheroPowered champion against evil
- radioactiveEmitting nuclear decay particles
- MarvelSuperhero media conglomerate
chrysalis
Pupal casing for metamorphosis
- caterpillarMoth or butterfly young
- butterflyWinged insect from caterpillar
- pupaInsect's resting stage
larva · tadpole · froglet · molt · instar · nymph · imago · life-cycle · amphibian · cocoon
- Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesHumanoid reptile crimefighters
- gene mutationChange in DNA sequence
- genetic mutationHeritable DNA sequence change
- mutant powersSupernatural abilities from genetic deviation
- viral mutationChange in pathogen's genome
- random mutationUnplanned genetic change
mutation, mutant, immutable, mutable, mutated, transmutation, mutants, permutation, mutating