Deletion Mutations

Inversion Mutations

An inversion mutation happens when a segment of DNA breaks and is reinserted in the opposite direction within the chromosome. Although this sounds dramatic, inversions often do not cause major harm, because no genetic material is lost (Griffiths et al., 2019).

In many cases, the order of genes on a chromosome does not strongly affect how the organism functions. However, problems may occur at the breakpoints, where the DNA breaks and rejoins. Important genes can be disrupted at these locations.

There are two main types of inversions:

  • Paracentric inversions: occur within one arm of a chromosome and do not include the centromere.
  • Pericentric inversions: include the centromere within the inverted segment.