Insertions refer to the process of adding new elements into a sequence, such as in genetics, where a segment of DNA is added to a chromosome. This can lead to changes in the organism's traits or functions, as the new genetic material may code for different proteins. In computer science, insertions often occur in data structures like arrays or linked lists, where new data is added at a specific position. This operation can affect the organization and efficiency of data retrieval, making it an essential concept in programming and algorithm design.