Nonsense mutations occur when a premature stop codon is inserted into the DNA sequence, resulting in a shortened nonfunctional protein. There are several synonyms for this term, including a premature termination codon or a stop codon mutation. Another term for nonsense mutation is a truncation mutation, as the resulting protein is truncated or shortened. These mutations can occur spontaneously or be inherited, and they can lead to a wide range of genetic disorders. Nonsense mutations can affect any gene in the genome, and their severity depends on the location and function of the affected gene.