The partial amino acid sequence of a wild-type protein is … Arg-Met-Tyr-Thr-Leu-Cys-Ser … The same portion of the protein from a mutant has the sequence … Arg-Met-Leu-Tyr-Ala-Leu-Phe … Identify the type of mutation.

Key Concepts

Types of Mutations

Mutations can be classified into several types, including point mutations, insertions, deletions, and frameshift mutations. Point mutations involve a change in a single nucleotide, which can lead to missense, nonsense, or silent mutations. Understanding these types is crucial for identifying how a specific mutation affects protein structure and function.

Amino Acid Codons

Amino acids are encoded by sequences of three nucleotides known as codons. Each codon corresponds to a specific amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis. Familiarity with the genetic code allows for the identification of which nucleotides have changed in a mutation and how these changes affect the resulting protein sequence.

Protein Structure and Function

The sequence of amino acids in a protein determines its three-dimensional structure and, consequently, its function. Changes in the amino acid sequence due to mutations can lead to alterations in protein folding and activity. Understanding the relationship between sequence and function is essential for analyzing the impact of mutations on biological processes.