Question

    Which of the following describes a frameshift mutation?

    A Substitution of one nucleotide for another Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B Insertion or deletion of a group of nucleotides that is not a multiple of three Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C Insertion or deletion of a group of nucleotides that is a multiple of three Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D Insertion or deletion of nucleotides that results in a premature stop codon Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    E None of these Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    A frameshift mutation indicates that the reading frame of the sequence in altered, resulting in production of different codons downstream of the mutation. Because codons are encoded by groups of three nucleotides, a frameshift mutation results from the insertion or deletion of a number of nucleotides that is not a multiple of three.

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