Question

Explain how single nucleotide changes can have vastly different effects on protein function.

Short answer

Alteration in nucleotide affects the start or stop codon as a result it affects the amino acid sequences of the protein.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Introduction

There are four nucleotide bases in DNA adenine, guanine, thymine, and cytosine. These bases form specific cytosine pairs with guanine and thymine with adenine.

Step 2. Explanation

Nucleotide change in the 3rd position of codons may not alter the amino acid and have no impact on protein synthesis. Other nucleotide changes that change significant amino acid forms or delete start or stop codons, as a result, would have a severe impact on the amino acid sequences of the protein and affect the protein synthesis.