Somatic Mutation Abnormality

**Semantic type:** Cell or Molecular Dysfunction

**Definition:** A mutation in a somatic cell. All eukaryotic cells, with the exception of germ cells (egg and sperm), are classified as somatic cells. A somatic mutation may affect the phenotype of the cell in which it occurs. However, the mutation will not be transmitted to offspring. These alterations are postulated to contribute to the development of cancer and other diseases.

**Synonyms:** - Somatic Mutation