What occurs during a nonsense mutation?

A nonsense mutation occurs when a nucleotide substitution in the DNA sequence leads to the formation of an early stop codon during the process of translation. This early stop codon can truncate the protein being synthesized, resulting in a shorter, often nonfunctional protein. This type of mutation can have significant consequences for the organism, as the complete protein may be essential for proper cellular function. The introduction of a stop codon replaces what would typically be a continuation of the protein-coding sequence, leading to potential loss-of-function effects that can manifest in various genetic disorders or diseases. The other options describe different types of mutations or effects that are not characteristic of nonsense mutations.