Final answer:
Mutation refers to any permanent change in DNA, with deletion being a type where nucleotides are removed. Point mutations, including substitution that may result in missense changes, can alter protein function and organism phenotype. Knowledge of mutations is vital for understanding genetic disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding DNA Mutations
When discussing mutations, we refer to any permanent change in the DNA sequence of an organism. These changes can manifest in various ways, one of which involves the removal of nucleotides, known as a deletion mutation. This type of mutation can have varying effects, potentially altering the function of a protein and the phenotype of an organism. For instance, when a gene has two fewer nucleotides in its sequence, the mutation is classified as a deletion.
There are other mutations as well, such as point mutations, which are changes to a single nucleotide. Within point mutations, a substitution mutation can occur when one base pair is replaced by another, and this can lead to a missense mutation if the amino acid sequence of a protein is altered. These mutations can be detrimental or benign depending on their location and impact on the protein's function.
Mutations are translated from DNA to mRNA and then to amino acids during protein synthesis. Hence, a mutation in the DNA can lead to a different amino acid sequence in the resultant protein, potentially causing various genetic disorders or phenotypic changes. Understanding these mutations is crucial in fields like genetics, molecular biology, and medicine.