What do you call changes in DNA that affect genetic information?

Changes in DNA that affect genetic information are referred to as mutations. Mutations can involve alterations in the sequence of nucleotides in DNA, which can lead to changes in the expression of genes and ultimately affect an organism's traits. These changes can arise naturally during DNA replication or can be induced by environmental factors such as radiation or chemicals.

Mutations can be classified into different types, such as point mutations, insertions, deletions, and more, each having various effects on the resulting protein and, consequently, on the organism. Understanding mutations is crucial in genetics because they are a source of genetic diversity and can contribute to evolution, as well as being linked to various diseases.

Chromosomal rearrangements, translocations, and gene therapy, while related to genetics, describe different concepts. Chromosomal rearrangements refer to structural changes in chromosomes; translocations involve the movement of a segment of DNA from one chromosome to another; and gene therapy is a technique aimed at correcting or replacing faulty genes to treat diseases. These terms do not specifically describe changes in DNA that fundamentally alter genetic information like mutations do.