Chromosomal mutations involve changes in the number or structure of chromosomes. These mutations can change the location of genes on chromosome and can even change the number of copies of some genes. Pictured below are the four types of chromosomal mutations.

Image shows a deletion chromosome mutation where one part of the chromosome is missing.

A deletion mutation of a chromosome involves the loss of all or part of a chromosome.

Image shows a duplication chromosome mutation where one part of the chromosome has been duplicated.

A duplication mutation of a chromosome produces an extra copy of all or part of a chromosome.

Image shows an inversion chromosome mutation where one part of the chromosome has been moved to another area of the chromosome.

An inversion mutation of a chromosome reverses the direction of parts of a chromosome.

Image shows a translocation chromosome mutation where one part of a chromosome has been moved to another chromosome.

A translocation mutation of a chromosome occurs when part of one chromosome breaks off and attaches to another chromosome.