Biology CLEP Prep Practice Exam

What type of gene mutation results in the loss or alteration of one or more base pairs?

1. Deletion

2. Translocation

3. Duplication

4. Substitution

The correct answer is: Substitution

A gene mutation resulting in the loss or alteration of one or more base pairs refers to a substitution mutation. In other words, a substitution mutation occurs when one nucleotide is replaced with a different nucleotide, leading to a change in the DNA sequence. This type of mutation can have a significant impact on the functioning of the gene, as it can alter the amino acid sequence of the protein that the gene codes for. Options A, B, and C are incorrect because they refer to other types of gene mutations. A deletion mutation occurs when one or more base pairs are removed from the DNA sequence, resulting in a shorter sequence. A translocation mutation is when a piece of genetic material breaks off and attaches to another chromosome. A duplication mutation involves a piece of DNA being copied and inserted into another part of the DNA sequence. These types of mutations do not necessarily result in the loss or alteration of