Final answer:
Deletions in the genome occur when a segment of DNA is lost, resulting in the loss of many genes. Insertions or deletions (indels) are more detrimental to a cell than point mutations because they can cause frameshift mutations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Deletions occur when a segment of DNA is lost, resulting in a missing segment in the chromosome. This can lead to the loss of many genes. Deletions can happen due to errors during recombination, mutations in spliceosome recognition sequences, or as a result of global genetic engineering using CRISPR/Cas.
Insertions or deletions (also known as indels) are more likely to be detrimental to a cell than point mutations because they can cause frameshift mutations, where the reading frame of the genetic code is shifted. This can disrupt the normal translation of the gene, leading to the production of non-functional or truncated proteins.
Overall, deletions can have significant impacts on the genome by causing gene loss and disrupting proper protein synthesis.