Describe the mutations which occur in chromosomes
There are four ways that a chromosome can mutate; deletion, duplication, inversion and translocation. Each of these mutations will result in a change in either the sequence or number of genes in a chromosome. Deletion is just what it sounds like. A section of the chromosome is 'deleted' as the chromosome breaks in two places, with the two ends joining together. Duplication is when a segment of genes attaches onto the end, or inserts itself into, a chromosome. Inversion is similar to a deletion in that a segment of chromosome is broken in two places, however, instead of breaking away, the segment turns 180o so that the genes are flipped upside down, therefore inverted. Translocation involves a section of one chromosome breaking off and becoming attached to another chromosome which is not its matching partner.
