Question

Describe 3 main mutations that can occur when splicing mRNA. 1. Fails to splice intron 2. Skips and exon 3. Generates a cryptic splice site

Answer 1

Three main mutations that can occur when splicing mRNA are: fails to splice intron, skips an exon, and generates a cryptic splice site.

Step-by-step explanation:

When splicing mRNA, there are several main mutations that can occur:

1. Fails to splice intron: This mutation occurs when the spliceosome, which is responsible for removing introns and joining the exons, fails to remove an intron from the mRNA sequence. As a result, the intron remains in the mature mRNA molecule.
2. Skips an exon: This mutation happens when an exon is not included in the final mRNA sequence, leading to the skipping of that particular exon. This can lead to a nonfunctional or altered protein.
3. Generates a cryptic splice site: In this mutation, the normal splice site is altered, leading to the creation of a new, incorrect splice site. This can result in the inclusion of intronic sequences in the mature mRNA, causing changes in the protein product.