Final answer:
Gene mutations typically affect small DNA segments and may be localized to a single nucleotide, while chromosomal mutations are large-scale changes impacting many genes or entire chromosomes; the latter often have a greater impact on an organism.
Step-by-step explanation:
When we talk about gene and chromosomal mutations, it's important to understand that both are caused by errors or damage to DNA. However, each type of mutation differs in its scope and impact. Chromosomal mutations often refer to large-scale changes to the chromosome structure and can affect many genes or even entire chromosomes, thus having potential to cause significant changes in an organism. Examples include deletions, duplications, inversions, and translocations. Conversely, gene mutations affect smaller sections of DNA, often just a single nucleotide, leading to more localized effects, such as point mutations or frameshift mutations.
The correct statements regarding these mutations are:
- A. Gene and chromosomal mutations are both caused by errors or DNA damage, differing only by the scale of their effect.
- B. Gene mutations may involve damage to large sections of DNA, encompassing many genes or entire chromosomes.
- E. Chromosomal mutations may involve damage to large sections of DNA, encompassing many genes or entire chromosomes.
To clarify the impact, chromosomal mutations generally have a greater impact than gene mutations due to their broader scope, affecting multiple genes and potentially leading to more significant phenotypical changes or developmental issues in an organism. An example of such impact is seen with Down Syndrome, which arises from a chromosomal alteration known as trisomy 21, where individuals have an extra copy of chromosome 21.