Some gene mutations change only one triplet code; due to the degenerate nature of the genetic code, not all such mutations result in a change to the encoded amino acid
A mutation can swap one base in a codon without changing the amino acid it codes for. This happens because multiple codons can code for the same amino acid.
Real World
The amino acid leucine is coded by six different codons (UUA, UUG, CUU, CUC, CUA, CUG), so a substitution at the third position of any of these often produces another leucine codon — a silent mutation with no effect on the protein.
Exam Focus
Use the term 'degenerate code' and explain it means multiple codons code for the same amino acid — do not call it redundant.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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