Mutation Load

Mutation load is a term often used in genetics and evolutionary biology to refer to the complexity and intensity of mutation events occurring in a population. This term can be used both to describe the adaptive load, that is, the evolutionary potential of a certain genotype, and to describe a stress mutation that can lead to disruption of the stability of the genetic system.

When considering adaptive mutational load, the term refers to the complexity resulting from the presence of multiple mutations per unit of time. This emphasizes the need to optimize genetic systems, since each mutation carries the organism's survival potential to a new level, and also creates the potential for mutations in other genes