Researchers have been determining the nucleotide sequences of variant forms of SARS-CoV-2, looking for versions of the virus that might be more easily transmitted between humans or that might be more deadly. (a) For example, one mutation in a viral gene changed a GAU codon to a GGU codon. How
Researchers have been determining the
(a) For example, one mutation in a viral gene changed a GAU codon to a GGU codon. How does this change affect the sequence of the polypeptide encoded by that gene?
(b) In another variant form of the virus, a gene is missing six consecutive nucleotides. How would this change affect the sequence of the polypeptide encoded by that gene?
(c) In another coronavirus variant, the spike protein (the prominent protein on the surface of the virus) contains a histidine residue where an aspartate (aspartic acid) residue should be. Describe a point mutation in the coronavirus genome that could have caused this change in the spike protein.
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