Question

A long sequence of substituted amino acids results in the formation of a short protein in the case of

• A. Missense substitution of one nucleotide
• B. Insertion of two nucleotides
• C. Deletion of three nucleotides
• D. Silent substitution of four nucleotides
• E. Nonsense substitution of five nucleotides

Answer 1

The correct option is C Deletion of three nucleotides

Three nucleotides are needed to code an amino acid. When 1 or 2 nucleotides are added or deleted, the amino acid will lose its function. Whereas when 3 nucleotides are deleted or added, there is no loss of function. Hence if 3 nucleotides are deleted, the long chain of amino acid will become short but it will still maintain its function.