micromutationn.
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌmjuːˈteɪʃn/, U.S. /ˈˌmaɪkroʊˌmjuˈteɪʃ(ə)n/ Biology.
Originally: mutation that has a small or inapparent effect on the phenotype; an instance of this. In later use also: a point mutation.
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the world > life > biology > biological processes > genetic activity > [noun] > changes or actions of genes or chromosomes > mutation
sporting of nature1666
sporting1827
saltation1870
mutation1904
point mutation1921
mutation pressure1929
macromutation1940
micromutation1940
mutagenesis1950
1940 R. Goldschmidt Material Basis Evol. iii. 9 If two basic differences were isolated and such micromutation would recur, finally different species would be produced.
1940 R. Goldschmidt Material Basis Evol. iii. 9 The replacement of the typical Mendelizing mutations by the less tangible micromutations.
1972 Science 12 May 623/3 In the 1930's population geneticists recognized micromutation as the raw material of evolutionary change.
1980 Dædalus Spring 52 Identifying small-scale Darwinian random variation with particulate micromutations of Mendelian character.
1998 Crop Improvement 25 66 For inducing both macro- and micromutations combined mutagenic doses..appeared to be greatly superior to all single doses of the two mutagens.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1940