Question

Mutations in tRNA genes that alter the anticodon so that the mutant tRNA could now read a particular "stop" codon and insert an amino acid.

A. Anticodon modification
B. Stop codon suppression
C. Missense mutation
D. Frame-shift mutation

Answer 1

The correct answer to the student's question is 'Stop codon suppression,' which occurs when a tRNA with a mutated anticodon recognizes a stop codon and inserts an amino acid, potentially creating a longer protein.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question pertains to the type of mutation that can occur when a mutation in a tRNA gene alters its anticodon such that it can now recognize a stop codon, leading to the addition of an amino acid instead of termination of the protein chain. This phenomenon is referred to as Stop codon suppression, which can lead to translation of the mRNA beyond the normal stop signal, resulting in an extended protein product. This type of mutation specifically affects the normal function of stop codons and does not cause a missense mutation (change in one amino acid), frame-shift mutation (alteration of the reading frame), or anticodon modification in the general sense, but rather it suppresses the stop signal during translation.