Question

why does a deletion mutation usually cause more defects during protein synthesis than a point mutation?
a. deletion mutations can only be silent mutations.
b. deletion mutations are chromosomal mutations.
c. deletion mutations can affect the entire base sequence.
d. deletion mutations only occur during transcription.

Explanation:

A point - mutation changes a single base. A deletion mutation removes one or more bases, which can shift the reading - frame of the genetic code. This shift affects all subsequent codons and thus the entire sequence of amino acids in the protein being synthesized. Option A is incorrect as deletion mutations are not only silent mutations. Option B is too general as just being a chromosomal mutation doesn't explain why it causes more defects. Option D is incorrect as deletion mutations can occur in DNA replication and other processes, not just transcription.

Answer:

C. Deletion mutations can affect the entire base sequence.