Question

A frameshift mutation from nucleotide insertion at position 4 of a 900-base mRNA is observed. What is the likely outcome?

• A. No change in the final protein
• B. Partial protein production
• C. Complete change in protein production
• D. No change due to RNA editing

Hint:

Frameshift mutation early in a coding sequence usually has a severe effect because all downstream codons change.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: A frameshift mutation occurs when nucleotides are inserted or deleted in numbers not divisible by three. This changes the reading frame of codons.

Step 1: Identify mutation type.
The question mentions nucleotide insertion at position 4. Since insertion shifts the reading frame, it is a frameshift mutation.

Step 2: Effect of early frameshift.
Because the insertion occurs near the beginning of the mRNA, most codons downstream will be changed.

Step 3: Final outcome.
This can cause a completely altered protein sequence or premature stop codon. Therefore, the likely outcome is: \[ \text{Complete change in protein production} \]