Chapter 26.5, Problem 7TPSQ

Summary Introduction

To discuss:

Whether the data (given in Figure $26.13$) supports the predictions of neutral-mutation hypothesis or occurrence of balancing selection.

Introduction:

The mutations in the codons that do not change the particular amino acid in the given polypeptide chain are called synonymous mutations. They are also called silent mutations because the mutations have occurred, but there are no changes in the structure of the protein. The mutations in the codons that change the amino acid in the given polypeptide chain are called nonsynonymous mutations. The nonsynonymous mutations change the sequence of the polypeptide and thus the structure of protein gets changed.