Final answer:
The mutation at amino acid location 211 may be less significant than other mutations due to factors such as the significance of the first two bases of each codon, the potential restoration of the reading frame in a three-nucleotide insertion mutation, and the degeneracy of the genetic code.
Step-by-step explanation:
A mutation at an amino acid location 211 may not be as significant as other mutations due to several factors:
- The first two bases of each codon are most significant, while the third base, known as the "wobble" base, can often vary. Therefore, a change in the third base by a mutation may still permit the correct incorporation of a given amino acid into a protein.
- A frameshift mutation that results in the insertion of three nucleotides is often less deleterious than a mutation that results in the insertion of one nucleotide. This is because a frameshift mutation alters the reading frame of the genetic code, potentially affecting the sequence of all subsequent amino acids. In the case of a three-nucleotide insertion, the reading frame may be restored, allowing the protein to maintain its integrity.
- The genetic code exhibits degeneracy, meaning that a single amino acid can be encoded by multiple codons. This redundancy reduces the negative impact of random mutations because a single-nucleotide substitution mutation might still specify the same or a similar amino acid, preventing the protein from being nonfunctional.