Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
mRNA and Codons
mRNA, or messenger RNA, is a single-stranded molecule that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where proteins are synthesized. The sequence of nucleotides in mRNA is read in sets of three, known as codons, each of which corresponds to a specific amino acid. Understanding how codons are formed and how they translate into amino acids is crucial for analyzing changes in protein sequences.
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Transcription: mRNA Synthesis Concept 1
Frameshift Mutation
A frameshift mutation occurs when nucleotides are added or removed from the DNA or RNA sequence, altering the reading frame of the codons. This can lead to a completely different translation of the amino acid sequence downstream of the mutation. In the given question, removing the 'A' from the mRNA changes the reading frame, potentially resulting in a different protein product.
Protein Synthesis
Protein synthesis is the biological process through which cells generate new proteins, involving transcription and translation. During transcription, DNA is converted into mRNA, and during translation, ribosomes read the mRNA codons to assemble amino acids into a polypeptide chain. Changes in the mRNA sequence, such as those caused by mutations, can significantly affect the structure and function of the resulting protein.
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