Chromosomal Mutations worksheet - Free Printable

Let’s solve this step by step.

We are given three types of chromosomal mutations: Deletion, Inversion, and Translocation.
We also have descriptions on the right side that explain what each mutation looks like in terms of chromosome segments (numbered 1–9).
Our job is to match each mutation name with its correct “Mutated Chromosome” diagram based on the description and patterns.

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First, let’s look at the descriptions on the right:

1. “A portion of the chromosome has broken off, turned upside down and reattached, therefore the genetic material is backward.”
→ This describes an Inversion. The segment is flipped.

2. “When a portion of one chromosome is transported to another chromosome.”
→ This describes a Translocation. A piece moves from one chromosome to another.

3. “A portion of the chromosome is missing or deleted.”
→ This describes a Deletion. Something is gone.

Now let’s look at the numbered chromosome diagrams on the right:

There are several rows of boxes with numbers:

Row 1: `1 2 3 4 5 6` → normal chromosome (given at bottom too)

Row 2: `1 2 5 4 3 6` → here, 3-4-5 became 5-4-3 → that’s flipped! So this matches Inversion

Row 3: `1 2 3 4 5 6` → same as normal? Wait — no, below it there’s a separate box with `1 2 5` — maybe that’s part of deletion? Let’s hold on.

Actually, looking more carefully:

Below Row 2, we have:

Row 3: `1 2 3 4 5 6`
Then under it: `1 2 5` → so perhaps the original was 1-2-3-4-5-6, but now only 1-2-5 remain? That would mean 3 and 4 are missing → that’s Deletion

Wait — actually, let’s list all the mutated versions shown:

From top to bottom on the right:

- First set:
`1 2 3 4 5 6`
`1 2 5 4 3 6` ← this is inversion (segment 3-4-5 reversed to 5-4-3)

- Second set:
`1 2 3 4 5 6`
`1 2 5` ← this seems like only part remains → deletion of 3,4,6? But wait, maybe it's showing that after deletion, you have 1-2-5 left? Or perhaps it’s two chromosomes?

Actually, looking again — the layout might be grouping them.

Let me reorganize the right-side diagrams into groups:

Group 1 (top):
Original: `1 2 3 4 5 6`
Mutated: `1 2 5 4 3 6` → inversion

Group 2:
Original: `1 2 3 4 5 6`
Mutated: `1 2 5` → this must be deletion — missing 3,4,6? But that doesn’t make sense because 6 is at end. Maybe it’s showing that segment 3-4 is deleted, leaving 1-2-5-6? But it says `1 2 5` — perhaps it’s incomplete.

Wait — actually, look further down:

There’s also:

`1 2 3 4 5 6` and next to it `7 8 9`
Then below: `1 2 3 4 5 6 7` and `8 9`

Ah! Here’s translocation:

Original chromosomes:
Chromosome 1: `1 2 3 4 5 6`
Chromosome 2: `7 8 9`

After mutation:
Chromosome 1: `1 2 3 4 5 6 7` ← gained 7 from other chromosome
Chromosome 2: `8 9` ← lost 7

So a piece (7) moved from chromosome 2 to chromosome 1 → that’s Translocation

And for deletion:

Look at:
Original: `1 2 3 4 5 6`
Mutated: `1 2 5` → if we assume that 3 and 4 are missing, and 6 is also missing? But that seems odd.

Wait — perhaps the `1 2 5` is meant to show that between 2 and 5, something is missing — so originally 1-2-3-4-5-6, now 1-2-5-6? But it’s written as `1 2 5` — maybe it’s a typo or simplification.

Alternatively, look at the very bottom description: “A portion of the chromosome is missing or deleted.” And above it, there’s a diagram:

`1 2 3 4 5 6`
then below it: `1 2 5` — implying that 3 and 4 are deleted, and maybe 6 is still there but not shown? Or perhaps it’s showing the remaining parts.

But let’s compare with the left side diagrams.

On the left, under each mutation name, there are small chromosome drawings with letters (A,B,C etc.), but we’re told to ignore those and use the number patterns on the right.

Also, note: the instruction says “The names are matched correctly with the description” — so Deletion goes with “missing”, Inversion with “backward”, Translocation with “transported”.

So let’s assign:

- Inversion: matches `1 2 5 4 3 6` (because 3-4-5 is reversed to 5-4-3)

- Translocation: matches the pair where `1 2 3 4 5 6` and `7 8 9` become `1 2 3 4 5 6 7` and `8 9` — so piece 7 moved from second chromosome to first.

- Deletion: should be where something is missing. Look at `1 2 3 4 5 6` becoming `1 2 5` — if we assume that 3 and 4 are deleted, then it should be `1 2 5 6`, but it’s written as `1 2 5`. Perhaps it’s implying that after deletion, the chromosome is shorter, and 6 is not included? Or maybe it’s a mistake.

Wait — there’s another possibility. Look at the row:

`1 2 3 4 5 6`
`1 2 5`

And then separately, there’s:

`1 2 3 4 5 6`
`7 8 9`
becomes
`1 2 3 4 5 6 7`
`8 9`

And also, there’s a single box with `1 2 5` — perhaps that’s the result of deletion from `1 2 3 4 5 6` by removing 3 and 4, leaving 1-2-5-6, but they wrote only `1 2 5` to indicate the change? That doesn’t make sense.

Another idea: perhaps the `1 2 5` is meant to be compared to `1 2 3 4 5 6`, and it shows that 3 and 4 are missing, so the sequence jumps from 2 to 5 — meaning deletion of 3 and 4.

Similarly, in some textbooks, deletion is shown as a gap or skip in numbering.

So I think:

- Deletion: `1 2 3 4 5 6` → `1 2 5` (implying 3 and 4 are deleted)

- Inversion: `1 2 3 4 5 6` → `1 2 5 4 3 6` (3-4-5 inverted)

- Translocation: `1 2 3 4 5 6` and `7 8 9` → `1 2 3 4 5 6 7` and `8 9` (7 moved)

Now, on the left side, we need to fill in the "Mutated Chromosome" column for each type.

For Deletion, the mutated chromosome should show a missing part — so from the right, it’s the one that went from 1-2-3-4-5-6 to 1-2-5 (or whatever represents missing segments).

But in the answer format, we probably need to describe which diagram corresponds to which.

Since the user didn't specify how to output, but based on the task, I think we need to match each mutation name to its correct mutated chromosome pattern from the right side.

So final matching:

- Deletion: the case where a portion is missing → represented by `1 2 3 4 5 6` becoming `1 2 5` (assuming 3 and 4 deleted)

- Inversion: `1 2 3 4 5 6` becoming `1 2 5 4 3 6`

- Translocation: the two-chromosome case where `1 2 3 4 5 6` and `7 8 9` become `1 2 3 4 5 6 7` and `8 9`

Now, to confirm with the descriptions:

- "broken off, turned upside down" → inversion → 1 2 5 4 3 6 ✓

- "transported to another chromosome" → translocation → piece 7 moved ✓

- "missing or deleted" → deletion → 1 2 5 (from 1 2 3 4 5 6) ✓

Perfect.

So for the worksheet, in the "Mutated Chromosome" column:

- For Deletion: draw or indicate the chromosome that has 1 2 5 (missing 3,4)

- For Inversion: 1 2 5 4 3 6

- For Translocation: the two chromosomes: one with 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 and one with 8 9

But since the question is to solve the problem, and likely expects us to identify which pattern goes with which, I'll state the matches.

Final Answer:

Deletion matches the mutated chromosome where the sequence is 1 2 5 (indicating missing segments 3 and 4).
Inversion matches the mutated chromosome where the sequence is 1 2 5 4 3 6 (segments 3-4-5 are reversed).
Translocation matches the mutated chromosomes where one chromosome becomes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 and the other becomes 8 9 (segment 7 moved from second to first chromosome).