Question

The insertion of an "A" immediately after (3' of) the "A" in the codon 5'-CAG-3' would cause what type of mutation?

Synonymous, or silent, mutation
	B.	Anti-sense mutation
	C.	Non-sense mutation
	D.	noisy mutation
	E.	Non-synonymous mutation

Answer 1

The correct option is - synonymous or silent mutation.

Explanation -

The translation is the process in which the polypeptide chain is synthesized with mRNA as a template. The tRNA and ribosomes assist this process. The mRNA consists of the nitrogenous base sequence which acts as the template. A codon is a three-base group in the mRNA which is used in the translation process. These codons are used as a recognition site for the anticodons to bind to them and the tRNA (where the anticodons are already located on the other side) release the one corresponding amino acid (located on that tRNA molecule) to the growing polypeptide chain. This process goes on and a polypeptide chain is produced.

The three-letter codons are the base sequence and the code for a particular amino acid. It may possible that two or more codons codes for the same amino acid because we have 64 possible codons and only 20 amino acids.

Here, the given codon is 5' -CAG - 3'

The amino acid for which it will code is Gln (Glutamine)

Now, if A is added after the A, THen the new codon will be: 5' - CAAG 3'

The amino acid for which it will code is also Gln (Glutamine) while single left G will not code for anything.

This type of mutation where the final amino acid formed is the same after the mutation is known as the silent mutation.

Hence, the correct option is a synonymous or silent mutation.

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