Question

Give biological term for an alteration in the genetic material that can be inherited.

Answer 1

Mutation:

1. The term mutation was coined by Hugo de Vries in 1901.
2. Mutations are sudden inheritable variations.
3. It appears in organisms due to changes in genetic material caused by faulty DNA replication, chromosome aberrations and changes in chromosome number.
4. All variations and evolution are due to mutations.
5. Mutations are induced in microbes and plants to develop useful variations.

So, the biological term for an alteration in the genetic material that can be inherited is mutation.