MCAT Biochemistry Question 96: Answer and Explanation

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Question: 96

6. In the genetic code of human nuclear DNA, one of the codons specifying the amino acid tyrosine is UAC. If one nucleotide is changed, and the codon is mutated to UAG, what type of mutation will occur?

  • A. Silent mutation
  • B. Missense mutation
  • C. Nonsense mutation
  • D. Frameshift mutation

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

UAG is one of the three known stop codons, so changing tyrosine to a stop codon must be a nonsense (or truncation) mutation.

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