Which best describes chromosomal deletion?

• A. A segment of a chromosome is removed, resulting in a loss of genetic material.
• B. A segment of a chromosome is translocated to a non-homologous chromosome.
• C. A segment of a chromosome is duplicated, resulting in extra genetic material.
• D. A segment of a chromosome is inverted, reversing the order of genes.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that chromosomal deletion refers to a type of mutation where a part of a chromosome is missing, leading to a loss of genetic material.
2. Recognize that this is different from other chromosomal mutations such as translocation, duplication, or inversion.
3. In translocation, a segment of a chromosome is moved to a non-homologous chromosome, which does not involve loss of genetic material.
4. In duplication, a segment of a chromosome is copied, resulting in extra genetic material rather than a loss.
5. In inversion, a segment of a chromosome is reversed, changing the order of genes but not the amount of genetic material.