Question

Which one of the following mutations would be most likely to convert a proto-oncogene into an oncogene?

A. Silent mutation
B. Missense mutation
C. Nonsense mutation
D. Deletion mutation

Answer 1

A Missense mutation is the type of mutation most likely to turn a proto-oncogene into an oncogene by altering an amino acid within the protein, which can change its function or regulation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The mutation most likely to transform a proto-oncogene into an oncogene would be a Missense mutation. This type of mutation results in the substitution of one amino acid for another within a protein, potentially changing the function or regulation of the protein. In a missense mutation, the new amino acid could affect the protein in a way that promotes cell division or disables normal regulatory mechanisms. Unlike silent mutations which do not change the amino acid sequence, or nonsense mutations which typically result in non-functional protein products due to the introduction of a premature stop codon, missense mutations can alter the function of a protein in a way that might contribute to cancerous behaviors. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.