What is a permanent change in the DNA sequence of a gene called?

A permanent change in the DNA sequence of a gene is referred to as a mutation. Mutations can occur in several forms, including substitutions, insertions, or deletions of nucleotides in the DNA sequence. These changes can have various effects, such as altering the function of a gene, creating a new trait, or even leading to diseases. Because mutations are stable alterations in the genetic code, they can be passed on to subsequent generations if they occur in germ cells, influencing evolution and diversity within populations.

Recombination refers to a process where genetic material is shuffled and mixed, typically during meiosis, which results in new combinations of genes but does not itself cause a permanent change to the DNA sequence of a gene. Transcription is the process by which the information in a gene is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA), while replication is the process of copying DNA to produce identical copies. Neither transcription nor replication results in changes to the DNA sequence.

Thus, the definition of a mutation as a permanent alteration to the DNA sequence makes it the correct answer in this context.