In genetics, what term describes mutations that produce changes in a single gene?

• A. Gene mutations
• B. Genome (ploidy) mutations
• C. Epigenetic modifications
• D. Chromosomal mutations

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the different types of genetic mutations: gene mutations, chromosomal mutations, genome (ploidy) mutations, and epigenetic modifications.
2. Recognize that gene mutations specifically refer to changes that occur within a single gene's DNA sequence, affecting its nucleotide composition.
3. Know that chromosomal mutations involve larger structural changes affecting whole sections of chromosomes, such as deletions, duplications, inversions, or translocations.
4. Identify genome (ploidy) mutations as changes in the number of entire sets of chromosomes, such as polyploidy or aneuploidy.
5. Understand that epigenetic modifications do not change the DNA sequence but alter gene expression through chemical changes like DNA methylation or histone modification.