When genes have changes called mutations, different proteins are being made that can change structure and function in beneficial, neutral, or even harmful ways.

Question

Is it true or false? I have no idea and I've had this question for weeks now

Answer 1

Hi Shawn,

Generally speaking, this statement is true.

When a mutation in a gene changes the amino acid sequence it encodes, the protein that is made will be different. Even one amino acid change could potentially change the structure or function of a protein. Sometimes these are neutral changes, so the protein still looks and works pretty much the same way. Sometimes they are beneficial so that the protein works even better than before. Sometimes they are harmful and the protein no longer works.

Although there is one caveat, depending on the level of detail in the class you're taking.

Not ALL mutations at the DNA level actually result in changes at the protein level. This is due to the redundancy of the codon table, such that multiple different codons can code for the same amino acid. These are called silent mutations. Based on the way this question is worded, this may be outside the scope of your class. Please let me know if you have any follow up questions!