Which chromosomal mutation is defined as the loss of all or part of a chromosome?

Which chromosomal mutation is defined as the loss of all or part of a chromosome?

• A. Deletion Chromosomal Mutation
• B. Inversion Chromosomal Mutation
• C. Translocation Chromosomal Mutation
• D. Duplication Chromosomal Mutation

Answer: (A)

Deletion mutations involve the loss of a portion of a chromosome. This means a segment containing one or more genes is missing, which can happen at the end (terminal deletion) or within the chromosome (interstitial deletion). The effect depends on which genes are lost and how large the deletion is, leading to loss of genetic material and potential phenotypic consequences. This differs from inversions (a segment flips orientation but remains present), duplications (a segment is duplicated, increasing copy number), or translocations (a segment moves to another chromosome). For example, a well-known deletion on chromosome 5p is associated with Cri-du-chat syndrome. While complete loss of an entire chromosome (monosomy) is typically lethal in humans, deletions specifically describe the loss of part of a chromosome.

Deletion mutations involve the loss of a portion of a chromosome. This means a segment containing one or more genes is missing, which can happen at the end (terminal deletion) or within the chromosome (interstitial deletion). The effect depends on which genes are lost and how large the deletion is, leading to loss of genetic material and potential phenotypic consequences. This differs from inversions (a segment flips orientation but remains present), duplications (a segment is duplicated, increasing copy number), or translocations (a segment moves to another chromosome). For example, a well-known deletion on chromosome 5p is associated with Cri-du-chat syndrome. While complete loss of an entire chromosome (monosomy) is typically lethal in humans, deletions specifically describe the loss of part of a chromosome.