Missense, nonsense, and silent mutations are examples of which type of mutation? substitution insertion deletion replication
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These types of mutations fall under the category of substitution mutations, where one nucleotide is replaced by another. Missense mutations result in a different amino acid being incorporated into a protein, potentially altering its function. Nonsense mutations create a premature stop codon, leading to shortened and often nonfunctional proteins, while silent mutations do not change the amino acid sequence at all, so the protein remains unaffected. In the grand scheme of genetics, these mutations play crucial roles in evolution. While some may lead to diseases, others can give rise to beneficial traits, contributing to biodiversity. For instance, a missense mutation in the hemoglobin gene has been linked to sickle cell disease, but in carriers, it also provides resistance to malaria.