mutante

Mutante is the term used in biology and culture to describe an organism that carries a mutation that differentiates it from the typical form of its species. The word derives from Latin mutare, "to change," and appears in many Romance languages as mutante or similar.

In biology, a mutation is a heritable change in the genetic material. When the mutation occurs in cells that give rise to gametes, it can be passed to offspring and become part of a lineage; somatic mutations occur in body cells and are not inherited, but can contribute to diseases like cancer.

Mutations can result from errors during DNA replication, exposure to mutagens such as chemicals or radiation, or due to mobile genetic elements. They range from single-nucleotide substitutions (point mutations) to insertions, deletions, duplications, and larger chromosomal rearrangements. Some mutations affect gene regulation rather than coding sequences.

In evolution, mutations provide raw material for natural selection and genetic drift. Most mutations are neutral or deleterious, but a subset can be advantageous in a given environment.

In popular culture, the term mutante is used to describe fictional beings with extraordinary abilities arising from genetic alterations. The concept is prominent in comics and films such as the X-Men universe, where mutants develop powers due to mutations in their genes. The use of mutante can be neutral, descriptive, or anthropomorphized.

Real-world examples of human mutations include lactose tolerance, sickle-cell trait, and genetic variations influencing skin, eye, or hair color, among many others.