The conversion of codon UAC into UAG due to mutation would stop the further synthesis of the protein.
Further Explanation:
The proteins are synthesized by a process called translation in which the cytoplasmic ribosomes read the information in the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and translate it into an amino acid sequence of proteins.
The information in mRNA is present as a genetic code. A genetic code represents the rules which are used in order to form proteins from information coded in the genetic material. According to the genetic code, the information in the mRNA is present as a sequence of codons. A codon is a set of three nucleotides that codes for a particular amino acid. There are around 20 amino acids for which there exist 64 codons. Out of these 64 codons, three codons specify stop codons.
During translation, the ribosomes read the codon sequence in the mRNA and help in the complementary binding of codon to its anticodon in the transfer RNA (tRNA) corresponding to a specific amino acid. The elongation of the polypeptide occurs until the incorporation of the stop codon. The occurrence of a stop codon terminates the chain as there are no amino acids to be specified by a stop codon.
There are three stop codons: UAA, UAG, UGA. Whenever any of these codon is encountered during protein synthesis, the further elongation stops. Here, UAC codes for tyrosine amino acid. A mutation that changes UAC into UAG would halt the process of protein synthesis due to the formation of a stop codon (UAG). This is called nonsense mutation as the codon formed is a stop codon that terminates the translation process.
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Answer Details:
Grade: Senior School
Subject: Biology
Chapter: Translation- Protein synthesis
Keywords:
Translation, protein synthesis, ribosomes, mRNA, tRNA, genetic code, codons, stop codon, polypeptide, peptide bond, nonsense mutation, mutation, amino acids.