Question

A mutation that changes an amino acid-coding codon to a stop codon is classified as what kind of codon?

A) missense B) nonsense C) neutral D) conditional E) silent

Answer 1

A nonsense mutation changes an amino acid-coding codon to a stop codon, leading to premature termination of the protein and frequently resulting in a nonfunctional protein.

Step-by-step explanation:

A mutation that changes an amino acid-coding codon into a stop codon is classified as a nonsense mutation. This type of mutation results in premature termination of the translational process, often leading to the production of a truncated, typically nonfunctional protein. Unlike a silent mutation, which does not change the amino acid and therefore has no effect on the protein, a nonsense mutation has a significant impact on the protein's function because it shortens the polypeptide chain and can render the protein inactive.