Consider an mRNA strand that has a sequence of base pairs of GUU CUA ACU. Suppose a substitution mutation occurred in the DNA, resulting in the last base in the first codon of the mRNA to be replaced by Cytosine. Using the codon chart below, a) identity which amino acid will now be formed, and b) explain why this mutation would not result in a phenotypic change. Your answer should be in 2-4 sentences
a) The original codon GUC codes for the amino acid Valine. However, after the mutation, the codon becomes GUA, which still codes for the same amino acid Valine.
b) This mutation does not result in a phenotypic change because Valine is a nonpolar amino acid, and both GUC and GUA code for the same nonpolar amino acid. Therefore, the mutation does not affect the structure or function of the resulting protein molecule.