What type of mutation alters the reading frame of genetic information?

A frameshift mutation is a type of genetic mutation that occurs when nucleotides are added to or deleted from the DNA sequence in numbers not divisible by three. This alteration shifts the reading frame of the genetic information, leading to a completely different amino acid sequence downstream from the mutation site. As a result, it can produce proteins that are nonfunctional or have altered functions, significantly impacting cellular processes or organismal traits.

In contrast, a point mutation involves the change of a single nucleotide base pair, which can lead to a variety of effects, but it does not necessarily shift the reading frame of the entire nucleotide sequence. Similarly, a silent mutation refers to a change in the DNA sequence that does not result in any change in the amino acid sequence of a protein. A substitution mutation is a more general term that includes point mutations but does not necessarily lead to a frameshift unless it also involves the addition or deletion of nucleotides. Therefore, the key characteristic of a frame-altering mutation is its ability to shift the reading frame and affect all subsequent codons in the sequence.