Mutation Rate

Mutation rate refers to how often genetic changes, called mutations, occur in an organism's DNA over a specific period or number of DNA replications. These mutations can be caused by errors during DNA copying or exposure to certain environmental factors. The mutation rate helps scientists understand how quickly genetic variations arise, which can influence evolution, disease development, and adaptability. Typically expressed as a probability per gene or genome per generation, a higher mutation rate means more frequent genetic changes, while a lower rate indicates greater stability in an organism's genetic information.