What term refers to a change in chromosome structure that leads to new gene combinations?

The term that refers to a change in chromosome structure that leads to new gene combinations is chromosomal mutation. Chromosomal mutations involve alterations to the structure of chromosomes, which can include deletions, duplications, inversions, or translocations of chromosome segments. These structural changes can affect gene arrangement and expression, potentially leading to new combinations of genes that were not previously together. Such alterations can have significant implications for genetic diversity and can play a vital role in evolution and adaptation.

Gene duplication specifically references the copying of a gene or a segment of DNA, leading to multiple instances of the gene within the genome, which can contribute to some aspects of genetic variation but does not encompass the broader changes in chromosome structure. Substitution mutation refers to a change in a single nucleotide within a gene, which typically affects a single gene rather than altering the structure of chromosomes themselves. Frameshift mutation involves the insertion or deletion of nucleotides that shift the reading frame of the genetic code, impacting protein synthesis but not directly altering chromosome structure. Therefore, when it comes to changes that reshape the overall arrangement of genes on chromosomes, chromosomal mutation is the most accurate term.