What is a frame-shift mutation?

A frame-shift mutation results from the deletion or addition of nucleotides in a DNA sequence, which alters the reading frame of the genetic code. This shift changes how the remaining nucleotides are grouped into codons, the basic units of the genetic code that correspond to specific amino acids.

As a result, the entire sequence of amino acids downstream of the mutation can be altered, which can have significant effects on the structure and function of the resulting protein. This is why it is crucial to understand frame-shift mutations; they can lead to substantial changes in protein functionality, potentially resulting in diseases or malfunctions within an organism.

The other explanations provided do not encapsulate the concept of a frame-shift mutation accurately. A frame-shift mutation is not confined to coding regions only; it can occur in any sequence of DNA. Moreover, while it changes the sequence of amino acids, the specific mechanism of a frame-shift mutation involves the addition or deletion of nucleotides, distinguishing it from other mutation types. Additionally, a frame-shift mutation does affect protein translation by altering the amino acid sequence, rather than being a silent mutation that occurs without affecting it.