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a.k.a. ALASTAIR

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-{{otheruses}}
-[[Image:Blue-lobster.jpg|200px|thumb|The [[American lobster#Mutations|blue lobster]] is an example of a mutant.]]
-[[Image:Physcomitrella knockout mutants.JPG|thumb|''Wild-type [[Physcomitrella patens|Physcomitrella]] and [[Knockout Moss|knockout-mosses]]'': Deviating phenotypes induced in gene-disruption library transformants. Physcomitrella wild-type and transformed plants were grown on minimal Knop medium to induce differentiation and development of [[gametophore]]s. For each plant, an overview (upper row, scale bar corresponds to 1 mm) and a close-up (bottom row, scale bar equals 0.5 mm) is shown. A, Haploid wild-type moss plant completely covered with leafy gametophores and close-up of wild-type leaf. B-D, Different Mutants.<ref>Egener et al. BMC Plant Biology 2002 2:6  {{DOI|10.1186/1471-2229-2-6}}</ref>]]
-A '''mutant''' is an individual, organism, or new genetic character arising or resulting from an instance of [[mutation]], which is a base-pair sequence change within the [[DNA]] of a [[gene]] or [[chromosome]] of an organism resulting in the creation of a new character or [[Trait (biological)|trait]] not found in the [[wild type]]. The natural occurrence of genetic mutations is integral to the process of [[evolution]]. The study of mutants is an integral part of biology, by understanding the effect that a mutation in a gene has it is possible to establish the normal function of that gene.<ref>http://www.pnas.org/content/68/9/2112.abstract Clock Mutants of ''Drosophila melanogaster''</ref>
-In some organisms mutants can be created by [[gene targeting]] to asses the function of any given gene. This experimental approach is called [[reverse genetics]]<ref>[[Ralf Reski]] (1998): Physcomitrella and Arabidopsis: the David and Goliath of
-reverse genetics. Trends in Plant Science 3, 209-210 {{DOI|10.1016/S1360-1385(98)01257-6}} </ref>.
-For example, a collection of [[Knockout_Moss|knockout moss]] mutants can be used to identify genes with so far unknown functions <ref> Egener et al. BMC Plant Biology 2002 2:6 {{DOI|10.1186/1471-2229-2-6}} </ref>.
-==Etymology==
-Although not all mutations have a noticeable [[phenotypic]] effect, the common usage of the word '''mutant''' is generally a [[pejorative]] term only used for noticeable mutations.<ref>Mutant. (n.d.). ''The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language'', Fourth Edition. Retrieved March 05, 2008, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mutant</ref> The scientific usage is broader, referring to any organism differing from the wild type.
-'''Mutants''' should not be confused with organisms born with [[Developmental abnormality|developmental abnormalities]], which are caused by errors during [[morphogenesis]]. In a developmental abnormality, the DNA of the organism is unchanged and the abnormality cannot be passed on to progeny. [[Conjoined twins]] are the result of developmental abnormalities.
-Chemicals that cause developmental abnormalities are called [[teratogen]]s; these may also cause mutations, but their effect on development is not related to mutations.  Chemicals that induce mutations are called [[mutagen]]s. Most mutagens are also considered to be [[carcinogen]]s.
-==References==
-{{Reflist|2}}
-==External links==
-* [http://www.mun.ca/biology/scarr/Antennapedia_mutant.htm Antennapedia mutant]
-[[Category:Evolutionary biology]]
-[[Category:Evolution]]
-[[Category:Classical genetics]]
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