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Which of the following is an example of a frameshift mutation?

a) Deletion of a single nucleotide
b) Substitution of a nucleotide
c) Addition of a nucleotide
d) Inversion of a nucleotide

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A frameshift mutation is caused by insertions or deletions of nucleotides that change the reading frame of genetic code. The deletion or addition of a single nucleotide, such as the deletion of one nucleotide, is an example of a frameshift mutation because it alters the codon sequence from that point onwards.

A frameshift mutation is a genetic mutation caused by insertions or deletions of a number of nucleotides in a DNA sequence that is not divisible by three. This type of mutation shifts the reading frame of the genetic code, leading to potentially significant changes in the resulting protein product due to alterations in the amino acid sequence from the point of mutation onward. An example of a frameshift mutation is the deletion of one nucleotide. This is because it alters the reading frame, or how the sequence is divided into codons, which are groups of three nucleotides that specify particular amino acids.

To elaborate, if a single nucleotide is deleted from a sequence, as represented in the option (D) deletion of one nucleotide, the change would cause all subsequent codons to be read incorrectly, potentially leading to a completely different protein sequence. It's important to note that an insertion or deletion of three nucleotides could be less deleterious since the reading frame would be preserved even though the amino acid sequence will still be altered.

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