Deletion (Chromosome Mutation) — Definition & Examples

(Video) Mutations: The Potential Power of a Small Change

by Amoeba Sisters

Deletion mutations occur when a piece of a chromosome separates and never reattaches. This mutation can be lethal since important information could be left out of the organism's genetic material. These mutations occur during the crossing-over phase of meiosis.

(Video) Chromosomal Mutations

by Kevin Glass

A deletion is when a segment of a chromosome is deleted and lost forever. This is a really bad mutation because genetic material is lost. If the lost segment of chromosome contained an important gene, the offspring will have just one copy of that gene left.

Deletion

Chromosome mutations change the number or structure of the chromosomes. These mutations can even change the location and number of certain genes on a chromosome. Mutations can happen because of both internal and external influences, like during meiosis or exposure to radiation. Mutations occur most often during the crossing-over stage of meiosis when homologous chromosomes trade pieces of each other.

Deletion happens when a part of a chromosome is deleted. So, part of the chromosome or DNA sequence is missing.

$$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Vocabulary Review:}}$$

$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Chromosome Mutation}}$ : Change the number or structure of the chromosomes. They can even change the location and number of certain genes on a chromosome

$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Inversion}}$ : Mutation that happens when a part of the chromosome breaks off, flips around, and becomes reattached

$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Duplication}}$ : Duplication happens when a chromosome has extra copies of a gene

$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Translocation}}$ : Translocation happens when a part of the chromosome breaks off and attaches to another chromosome

$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Deletion}}$ : A mutation that occurs when part of the chromosome is deleted

$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Meiosis}}$ : The process of dividing one nucleus into four unique haploid cells. Only occurs in sex cells

$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Chromosome}}$ : A chromosome is a long, single, coiled piece of DNA