Which type of mutation involves a change in a single nucleotide?

A point mutation involves a change in a single nucleotide within the DNA sequence. This type of mutation can occur in various ways, such as by the substitution of one base pair for another. This alteration can lead to changes in the corresponding amino acid during protein synthesis but often has a more localized impact compared to other mutations.

In contrast, frameshift mutations involve the insertion or deletion of nucleotides, which shifts the reading frame of the gene. This can dramatically affect the entire protein produced. Deletion mutations remove segments of DNA but are not limited to single nucleotides. Inversion mutations rearrange the order of nucleotides but do not singly change a nucleotide's identity.

The distinct nature of point mutations is essential for understanding genetic variations and their potential effects on phenotype or disease development, making this concept foundational in genetics.