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inversion
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inversion

chromosome
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Quick Summary

An inversion is a type of chromosomal aberration where a segment of a chromosome breaks in two places, rotates 180 degrees, and then reattaches. This process does not add or remove genetic material.1

There are two types of inversions:
* Pericentric: The inverted segment includes the centromere.
* Paracentric: The inverted segment does not include the centromere.1

Inversions typically cause problems during meiosis (cell division for gametes). If a crossover occurs within the inverted segment, it can lead to gametes with deletions or duplications of genetic material, often resulting in inviable offspring. Inversions are generally not harmful unless a break occurs within an essential gene or a gene's function is altered by its new location.1

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. heredity - Inversions
  2. human genetic disease - Imprinted gene mutations
  3. inversion

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