Final answer:
During VDJ recombination, insertions or deletions can result in extra or fewer nucleotides at the junctions between gene segments, potentially altering protein function or leading to frameshift mutations.
Step-by-step explanation:
During VDJ recombination, insertions or deletions are defined as extra or fewer nucleotides. These changes can occur at the junctions between the Variable (V), Diversity (D), and Joining (J) gene segments in the process of generating diverse antibody and T cell receptor genes. For example, during VDJ recombination, if there is an insertion of extra nucleotides between the VDJ gene segments, it can lead to the generation of new amino acids in the protein sequence, potentially altering the function of the resulting antibody or T cell receptor. On the other hand, if there is a deletion of nucleotides during VDJ recombination, it can lead to a frameshift mutation, causing a shift in the reading frame of the gene sequence, which can drastically change the amino acid sequence and likely result in a nonfunctional protein.