Revertant
Encyclopedia
In microbial genetics
, a revertant is a mutant
that has reverted to its former genotype
or to the original phenotype
by means of a suppressor mutation
, or else by compensatory mutation somewhere in the gene (second site reversion).
Microbial genetics
Microbial genetics is a subject area within microbiology and genetic engineering. It studies the genetics of very small organisms. This involves the study of the genotype of microbial species and also the expression system in the form of phenotypes.It also involves the study of genetic processes...
, a revertant is a mutant
Mutant
In biology and especially genetics, a mutant is an individual, organism, or new genetic character, arising or resulting from an instance of mutation, which is a base-pair sequence change within the DNA of a gene or chromosome of an organism resulting in the creation of a new character or trait not...
that has reverted to its former genotype
Genotype
The genotype is the genetic makeup of a cell, an organism, or an individual usually with reference to a specific character under consideration...
or to the original phenotype
Phenotype
A phenotype is an organism's observable characteristics or traits: such as its morphology, development, biochemical or physiological properties, behavior, and products of behavior...
by means of a suppressor mutation
Suppressor mutation
A suppressor mutation is a mutation that counteracts the phenotypic effects of another mutation.There are several classes# mutation within the same gene#* e.g...
, or else by compensatory mutation somewhere in the gene (second site reversion).