Mutanti

Mutanti is the plural form used in Italian, Romanian, and several other languages for beings that carry heritable changes in their genetic material relative to a reference form, often called the wild type. In biology, a mutation is a permanent alteration in the DNA sequence. Mutanti can arise spontaneously during DNA replication or be caused by environmental factors such as radiation or mutagenic chemicals. Most mutations are neutral or harmful, but some can increase an organism's fitness under certain conditions. Germline mutations occur in cells that give rise to gametes and can be passed to offspring, whereas somatic mutations arise in non-reproductive cells and are not inherited.

Mutanti are a central concept in genetics and evolutionary biology, as they provide the raw material for variation and adaptation. Researchers study mutation rates, mutational spectra, DNA repair mechanisms, and the influence of mutations on phenotype. Models include bacteria, yeast, fruit flies, and mice, among others.

In popular culture, the term mutanti is used to describe fictional beings with altered genetic traits, often endowed with extraordinary abilities. The concept is central to many comic books, films, and video games, where exposure to radiation, genetic engineering, or other influences may produce mutants. Debates in society often address ethical and social implications of perceived genetic difference and the potential for stigma.

See also: Mutation, Wild type, Genetic drift, Evolution.