AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Silent mutations lead to a change of one of the letters in the triplet code that represents a codon, but despite the single base change, the amino acid that is coded for remains unchanged or similar in biochemical properties. This is permitted by the degeneracy of the genetic code.

Detailed explanation-2: -Silent mutations occur when the change of a single DNA nucleotide within a protein-coding portion of a gene does not affect the sequence of amino acids that make up the gene’s protein.

Detailed explanation-3: -If a mutation does not alter the amino acid sequence of a protein, it is considered a silent mutation. A neutral mutation changes the amino acid, but not the function of the protein. Both frameshift and nonsense mutations can severely affect the function and structure of a protein.

Detailed explanation-4: -A silent mutation (quiet mutation) is a form of mutation that does not cause a major change in the amino acid. As a result, the protein remains active and functional. Because of this, the changes are viewed as though they are neutral in terms of evolution.