Final answer:
Allele nomenclature may appear identical but can result in proteins with different effects due to variations in amino acid sequences encoded by the alleles, with degeneracy in genetic code providing resilience against mutations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Allele nomenclature can look exactly the same but have different effects based on the specific protein they encode. Proteins are made from amino acids, of which there are 20 types, constituting the protein alphabet. The genetic information on mRNA is translated into proteins through the process of protein synthesis, adhering to the central dogma of DNA-protein synthesis.
Despite the variety of combinations, the genetic code exhibits degeneracy, meaning that multiple codons can specify the same amino acid. This built-in redundancy, especially in the third position of a codon, is crucial for reducing the impact of mutations by preserving protein function even if some nucleotide changes occur. Therefore, even when alleles have the same nomenclature, they might encode proteins with slight differences in their amino acid sequences, impacting the protein's structure and function.
The amino acid abbreviations help in identifying the primary structure of proteins. For example, Alanine is abbreviated as Ala or A. This sequence determines the protein's 3D structure and function.