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Reference.org
Point mutation
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<p>A point mutation is a genetic <a href="/facts/Mutation/Ee4NnWbY">mutation</a> where a single nucleotide base is changed, inserted or deleted from a <a href="/facts/DNA/nB89Iauz">DNA</a> or <a href="/facts/RNA/HxPeNfNj">RNA</a> sequence of an organism's genome. Point mutations have a variety of effects on the downstream protein product—consequences that are moderately predictable based upon the specifics of the mutation. These consequences can range from no effect (e.g. <a href="/facts/Synonymous_substitution/Dkf1vtDb">synonymous mutations</a>) to deleterious effects (e.g. <a href="/facts/Frameshift_mutations/ncWrMHqm">frameshift mutations</a>), with regard to protein production, composition, and function. </p>