Question

evaluate the mutant codons representing the changes that could result from a point mutation in the normal codon uac. drag and drop the labels to correctly describe the potential damage to the protein.
wild type
mutant

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze UAU

The wild - type codon UAC codes for Tyrosine (polar). The mutant codon UAU also codes for Tyrosine (polar). Since the amino acid is the same, this is a silent mutation.

Step2: Analyze AAC

The wild - type codon UAC (Tyrosine, polar) mutates to AAC (Asparagine, polar). Both amino acids are hydrophilic. So, this is a missense mutation where both AAs are hydrophilic and folding may not be affected.

Step3: Analyze UUC

The wild - type codon UAC (Tyrosine, polar) mutates to UUC (Phenylalanine, non - polar). Phenylalanine is hydrophobic. This is a missense mutation where the new AA is hydrophobic and folding is greatly affected.

Step4: Analyze GAC

The wild - type codon UAC (Tyrosine, polar) mutates to GAC (Aspartic acid, acidic). Aspartic acid has a negative charge. This is a missense mutation where the new AA has a negative charge and folding is greatly affected.

Step5: Analyze UAG

The wild - type codon UAC (Tyrosine, polar) mutates to UAG (Stop codon). This is a nonsense mutation as the protein chain is cut short.

Answer:

UAU: Silent—same amino acid / same protein; AAC: Missense—both AAs hydrophilic so folding may not be affected; UUC: Missense—new AA is hydrophobic; folding greatly affected; GAC: Missense—new AA has a negative charge; folding greatly affected; UAG: Nonsense—protein chain is cut short.