What mutation occurs when part of one chromosome breaks off and attaches to a different chromosome?

• A. Deletion chromosomal mutation
• B. Translocation chromosomal mutation
• C. Duplication chromosomal mutation
• D. Inversion chromosomal mutation

Answer: (B)

Translocation is when a piece of one chromosome breaks off and becomes attached to a different chromosome. This rearrangement changes where genes are located on the genome and can alter gene regulation or create new gene fusions, depending on the breakpoints. In the scenario described, the key feature is that the chromosome fragment moves to another chromosome, which is the hallmark of a translocation.

Think about the other possibilities: deletion means a segment is missing from a chromosome, leaving gaps in genes; duplication means a segment is copied, adding extra gene copies; inversion means a segment breaks away and flips its orientation within the same chromosome. None of those involve transferring a piece to a different chromosome like translocation does.