wein.plus
Attention
You are using an old browser that may not function as expected.
For a better, safer browsing experience, please upgrade your browser.

Log in Become a Member

Mutation

Term (lat. mutare "to change, to transform") for spontaneously occurring changes to genetic information in the cell nuclei of organisms (humans, animals, plants) that play an important role in evolution. These usually occur selectively (point mutations), but can also involve larger sections of DNA (deletion, insertion). If the mutations occur in the germline, they are passed on to the next generation.

Usefulness of mutations

If the organism is not propagated vegetatively) or not passed on by reproduction (outgrowth of a grape seed), the mutations accumulated in the cell nuclei with increasing age disappear with the natural death of the organism. Only a small percentage of spontaneously occurring mutations have positive effects; many mutations remain silent or only express themselves minimally or gradually.

Voices of our members

Hans-Georg Schwarz

As honorary chairman of the Domäne Wachau, it is the easiest and quickest way for me to access the wein.plus encyclopaedia when I have questions. The certainty of receiving well-founded and up-to-date information here makes it an indispensable guide.

Hans-Georg Schwarz
Ehrenobmann der Domäne Wachau (Wachau)

The world's largest Lexicon of wine terms.

26,605 Keywords · 47,096 Synonyms · 5,317 Translations · 31,937 Pronunciations · 227,587 Cross-references
made with by our author Norbert F. J. Tischelmayer. About the Lexicon

EVENTS NEAR YOU

PREMIUM PARTNERS