Question

What best explains why the nucleotide substitution in the mouse does not change its phenotype?

Option 1: DNA sequences do not determine the color of a mouse's fur.
Option 2: Substitutions in the nucleotides in the DNA of the mouse can affect its genotype but rarely affect its phenotype.
Option 3: The substituted nucleotide produces codons that correspond to the same amino acid that is found in the other mice.
Option 4: The mouse has a completely different DNA sequence than the other mice.

Answer 1

The best explanation is that the substituted nucleotide produces codons that correspond to the same amino acid found in other mice, resulting in no change to the mouse's phenotype.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best explanation for why a nucleotide substitution in the mouse does not change its phenotype is Option 3: The substituted nucleotide produces codons that correspond to the same amino acid that is found in the other mice. Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, while phenotype refers to the observable traits of an organism. In this case, the nucleotide substitution does not result in a change in amino acid sequence, which means that the protein produced by the gene remains the same. Since phenotypic traits are determined by proteins, the mouse's phenotype will not be affected.