Class 12 · Molecular Basis of Inheritance

Frameshift Mutations and Reading Frame — NEET Biology

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The conclusion from the above exercise is very obvious. Insertion or deletion of one or two bases changes the reading frame from the point of insertion or deletion. However, such mutations are referred to as

NCERT Biology · Class 12 · Chapter 5 · Paragraph 113
How NTA Uses This Concept

Frameshift mutations occur when one or two bases are inserted or deleted from DNA, causing a shift in the reading frame from that point onward. This changes every codon downstream, usually producing nonfunctional proteins. Students often confuse frameshift mutations with point mutations—point mutations change only one amino acid, while frameshifts alter the entire sequence after the mutation site. Remember: deletion or insertion of bases (not multiples of 3) shifts the reading frame, whereas deletion/insertion of 3 or 6 bases maintains the frame. NTA tests this because it's fundamental to understanding how mutations affect protein synthesis and gene expression.

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QuestionNEET 2017

If there are 999 bases in an RNA that code for a protein with 333 amino acids, and the base at position 901 is deleted (making it 998 bases), how many codons will be altered? (NEET 2017)

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