Glossary Term:

Title

somatic mutation

Phonetic

so-<b>mat</b>-ick mew-<b>tay</b>-shun

Description

A change in DNA that starts in one cell of the body at any time of life after an embryo is formed. All the cells that arise from that cell will typically have the same mutation, which in some cases can lead to cancer. Somatic mutations are not passed on to children.