Final answer:
The mutation comparing the normal allele and the mutant allele is a substitution mutation, where one nucleotide is replaced by another. This type of point mutation can vary in effect on protein synthesis, with consequences ranging from minor to severe depending on the mutation's nature and position within a gene.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the question provided, we're examining a change in a genetic sequence, specifically from:
Normal allele: 5'-GGAAUGAAACAGGAACCC-3'
Mutant allele: 5'-GGAAUGAAACAGGUACCC-3'
Comparing these two sequences, we see that the mutation is a substitution mutation, where one base is replaced by another. In this case, a guanine (G) is substituted for a uracil (U), altering the sequence but not affecting the length of the genetic material.
Types and Effects of Point Mutations
Point mutations, like the substitution mutation observed here, affect a single nucleotide base pair. Such mutations have varying impacts on the functionality of genes and the proteins they encode. With respect to protein synthesis, mutations are particularly significant because the genetic code is read as a series of three-nucleotide codons that specify specific amino acids.
A frameshift mutation, such as an insertion or deletion mutation, alters the reading frame of the codons and can drastically change the amino acid sequence from the point of the mutation onward. This differs from substitution mutations, which typically alter a single amino acid or may even result in a silent mutation where the encoded amino acid remains unchanged due to redundancy in the genetic code.
Given an example of an insertion mutation in another context, an mRNA sequence is altered with the addition of an extra nucleotide. If this happens at a point before the translation initiation site, it can lead to a frameshift mutation affecting the resulting protein's structure and function, potentially leading to severe implications for cellular processes and organismal health.