8.1 Mutation and recombination Mutation is an inherited change in the base sequence of the nucleic acid comprising the genome of an organism.Mutation usually brings about only a very small amount of genetic change in a cell. Mutant an organism whose genome carries a mutation.Depending on the mutation,a mutant may or may not show an altered phenotype from its parent.8.1 Mutation and recombination Mutation is an inherited change in the base sequence of the nucleic acid comprising the genome of an organism. Mutation usually brings about only a very small amount of genetic change in a cell. Mutant an organism whose genome carries a mutation. Depending on the mutation, a mutant may or may not show an altered phenotype from its parent