iconEncyclopedia
Encyclopedia of EpidemiologyPub. date: 2008 | Online Pub. Date: November 27, 2007 | DOI: 10.4135/9781412953948 | Print ISBN: 9781412928168 | Online ISBN: 9781412953948| Publisher:SAGE Publications, Inc.
About this encyclopediaMutation
Margaret Chorazy
A mutation is a transmissible or heritable change in the nucleotide sequence of the genetic material of a cell or virus. Mutations are either spontaneous, occurring naturally due to errors in DNA or RNA replication, or induced by external agents. When identifying the etiology of a disease and the factors that alter a person's risk for disease, epidemiologists must often determine the unique contributions of environmental and genetic factors. Increasingly, we are made aware of the importance of mutations in the development of disease and the evolution of pathogens. Mutations are often involved in the etiology of diseases attributed ...
Users without subscription are not able to see the full content on this title. Please, subscribe or login to access all content on this website.

