What is the most likely consequence when a segment of DNA is missing from a chromosome?

• A. A point mutation occurs, changing a single nucleotide in the DNA sequence.
• B. A duplication mutation occurs, resulting in extra copies of the missing DNA segment.
• C. A translocation mutation occurs, moving the missing DNA segment to another chromosome.
• D. A deletion mutation occurs, which can lead to loss of genetic information and potentially disrupt gene function.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of a deletion mutation. A deletion mutation occurs when a segment of DNA is missing from a chromosome, leading to the loss of genetic material.
2. Step 2: Recognize the consequences of a deletion mutation. The loss of genetic information can disrupt the function of genes, especially if the missing segment contains coding regions or regulatory elements.
3. Step 3: Compare deletion mutations to other types of mutations mentioned in the problem. For example, a point mutation changes a single nucleotide, a duplication mutation results in extra copies of a DNA segment, and a translocation mutation moves a DNA segment to another chromosome. None of these describe the loss of a DNA segment.
4. Step 4: Evaluate why the correct answer is a deletion mutation. Missing DNA directly corresponds to the definition of a deletion mutation, which can lead to significant biological consequences, such as impaired protein production or loss of gene function.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is a deletion mutation, as it accurately describes the scenario where a segment of DNA is missing from a chromosome.