Question

Frame shift mutations occur following:

Options

• tautomeric shifts

• base substitutions

• dimer formation

• insertion/deletion of single base

Answer 1

insertion/deletion of single base

Explanation:

Frame shift mutations occur when there is an insertion or deletion of a single nucleotide base in the DNA sequence. Because the genetic code is read in triplets (codons), adding or removing a base shifts the reading frame from that point onward, altering the entire amino acid sequence downstream. This often results in a completely different and usually nonfunctional protein. Tautomeric shifts, base substitutions, or dimer formation generally cause other types of mutations but do not cause a frame shift. Hence, frame shift mutations specifically follow insertion or deletion of a base.