in the context of genetics, is a permanent change in the general material of an organism. Mutations often provide interesting and sometimes beneficial changes to an organisms genetic makeup which can then be passed onto the next generation. However, not all mutations can be passed on, for example, somatic mutation which occurs in a normal body cell of an organism will not be inherited by their potential offspring, only mutations which occur in reproductive cell producing ovum or sperm cells will carry the genetic mutation to the next generation.