Which alteration to the genetic code can involve a segment being flipped?

The alteration to the genetic code that involves a segment being flipped is known as inversion. In genetics, an inversion occurs when a chromosomal segment breaks off and is reinserted into the chromosome in a reversed orientation. This flipping of the segment can impact gene expression and function, as the gene sequence is altered in its original order, which may disrupt regulatory elements or shift reading frames.

Duplication involves a segment of the genetic material being copied, leading to multiple copies of that segment. Translocation refers to a segment of DNA being moved from one location to another, often between non-homologous chromosomes. Deletion, on the other hand, involves the loss of a segment of DNA. These mechanisms of genetic alteration each have distinct effects, but the correct term for a segment being flipped specifically aligns with the concept of inversion.