What characterizes an insertion or deletion mutation?

An insertion or deletion mutation is characterized by the addition or removal of one or more base pairs in the DNA sequence. This type of mutation alters the reading frame of the genetic code, which can significantly impact the resulting protein, often leading to nonfunctional or dysfunctional proteins. In contrast to other mutations, such as substitutions that may only change one amino acid, insertions and deletions can affect the entire sequence downstream from the mutation point, potentially resulting in a completely different amino acid sequence from that point forward. This type of mutation can also lead to frameshift mutations, which further disrupt the normal function of the encoded proteins.