Which type of chromosomal rearrangement occurs when part of a chromosome breaks off and attaches to a nonhomologous chromosome?

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

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the types of chromosomal rearrangements: Deletion involves loss of a chromosome segment; Inversion involves a segment breaking off and reattaching in reverse order on the same chromosome; Duplication involves a segment being copied and inserted into the chromosome.
2. Recognize that the problem describes a segment breaking off from one chromosome and attaching to a different, nonhomologous chromosome, which is a key feature of translocation.
3. Recall that translocation is the rearrangement where a chromosome segment moves to a nonhomologous chromosome, potentially altering gene location and function.
4. Differentiate translocation from other rearrangements by noting that it involves two different chromosomes exchanging or moving segments, unlike deletion, inversion, or duplication which occur within the same chromosome.
5. Conclude that the described event matches the definition of translocation, where a chromosome segment breaks off and attaches to a nonhomologous chromosome.