@article {694774, title = {Gene Mutations and Genetic Change}, journal = {(Draft Copy) Originally published in: Lerner, KL and Lerner, BW. World of Genetics.Thomson | Gale}, year = {2002}, publisher = {Thomson | Gale}, abstract = {In a strict sense, mutations are changes in genes not caused by genetic recombination. A change in the base sequence of DNA, for example, represents a mutational change. Spontaneous mutations are mutations that occur at a given frequency without the need for an inducing agent of change (mutagenic agent). The term mutation is also used in a less technical sense to describe changes in the human genome (i.e., evolution) that result from a broad spectrum of processes that act to increase or decrease genetic variation within a population. (download to read more)}, author = {K.Lee Lerner} }