Missense mRNA
When our body makes a protein, it follows a recipe that is encoded in our DNA. However, since the DNA molecule is too big to leave the nucleus of a cell, it makes a copy of the recipe called mRNA that can travel outside of the nucleus to the protein-making factory called the ribosome.
Now, sometimes mistakes happen when copying the recipe, just like when you accidentally pour too much sugar when baking cookies. One type of mistake that can happen is called a missense mutation, where a single letter in the mRNA recipe is changed.
Think of each letter in the mRNA recipe as a code that tells the ribosome which building block (called an amino acid) to add to the growing protein chain. So, with a missense mutation, the ribosome might read a different code than it was supposed to, adding the wrong amino acid to the protein.
Imagine building a Lego castle and accidentally using a green block when the recipe called for a red one. The castle would still be mostly the same, but that one green block might change the overall shape or stability of the castle. Similarly, a missense mutation can change the structure or function of a protein, which can have consequences for the cell or organism it resides in.
Now, sometimes mistakes happen when copying the recipe, just like when you accidentally pour too much sugar when baking cookies. One type of mistake that can happen is called a missense mutation, where a single letter in the mRNA recipe is changed.
Think of each letter in the mRNA recipe as a code that tells the ribosome which building block (called an amino acid) to add to the growing protein chain. So, with a missense mutation, the ribosome might read a different code than it was supposed to, adding the wrong amino acid to the protein.
Imagine building a Lego castle and accidentally using a green block when the recipe called for a red one. The castle would still be mostly the same, but that one green block might change the overall shape or stability of the castle. Similarly, a missense mutation can change the structure or function of a protein, which can have consequences for the cell or organism it resides in.