Final answer:
Point mutations include silent, missense, and nonsense mutations, affecting single nucleotides. Frameshift mutations, caused by insertions or deletions that are not multiples of three, disrupt the reading frame and are often the most detrimental as they significantly alter protein function.
Step-by-step explanation:
Different types of point mutations can occur within a DNA sequence. They include:
- Silent mutations: These mutations change a single nucleotide but do not alter the amino acid sequence due to the redundancy in the genetic code.
- Missense mutations: These are changes in one base pair that result in the substitution of one amino acid for another in the protein.
- Nonsense mutations: They change a single nucleotide in a way that creates a premature stop codon, leading to a shorter, nonfunctional protein.
Frameshift mutations are caused by insertions or deletions of a number of nucleotides that are not divisible by three. As a result, these mutations shift the reading frame of the genetic code, potentially altering every downstream amino acid and often resulting in a nonfunctional protein.
The types of mutations that are most detrimental to a cell are usually those that cause significant changes to the encoded protein's function, such as nonsense and frameshift mutations. These mutations can have profound effects on cellular functions and can lead to diseases or death of the cell.