Question

what happens to the reading frame during a frameshift mutation?

a. it remains unchanged.

b. it eliminates the gene entirely

c. it is altered, potentially changing the entire protein sequence

d. it only affects the first codon

Explanation:

A frameshift mutation is caused by insertions or deletions of nucleotides (not in multiples of three) in a DNA sequence. This shifts the reading frame (the way codons are read) from the point of mutation onward. Option a is wrong because the reading frame changes. Option b is wrong as it doesn't eliminate the gene entirely, just alters the reading. Option d is wrong as it affects all codons after the mutation, not just the first. Option c correctly states that the reading frame is altered, which can change the entire protein sequence downstream of the mutation.

Answer:

c. It is altered, potentially changing the entire protein sequence