What type of mutation can affect the health of an individual by altering gene function?

A point mutation is a change in a single nucleotide base pair in the DNA sequence. This can occur through the substitution of one base for another, which may lead to a change in the amino acid sequence of a protein, potentially altering its function. If the mutation occurs in a critical region of the gene—such as within a coding region, regulatory element, or splice site—it may disrupt normal protein function or regulation, leading to health issues.

Point mutations can cause various genetic disorders or influence the development of diseases; for example, they can lead to sickle cell anemia, where just one amino acid change in the hemoglobin protein results in significant health consequences. The impact of point mutations can thus vary widely, from benign to severe, depending on their nature and location within the gene.

Other types of mutations like deletions and translocations can also affect gene function and health, but they involve larger segments of DNA. Deletions result in the loss of one or more nucleotides, which can disrupt gene function significantly, while translocations involve parts of DNA being rearranged between non-homologous chromosomes, which can lead to cancer when they affect oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. However, point mutations are specifically highlighted for their ability to