Which one of the following types of mutation, resulting in an error in the mRNA just after the AUG start of translation, is likely to have the LEAST serious effect on the polypeptide product? A. a substitution of the third nucleotide in a codon B. an insertion of a nucleotide C. a deletion of a nucleotide D. a substitution of the second nucleotide in a codon

step 1: initiation

initiation is the beginning of transcription. it occurs when the enzyme rna polymerase binds to a region of a gene called the promoter. this signals the dna to unwind so the enzyme can ‘‘read’’ the bases in one of the dna strands. the enzyme is now ready to make a strand of mrna with a complementary sequence of bases.

step 2: elongation

elongation is the addition of nucleotides to the mrna strand. rna polymerase reads the unwound dna strand and builds the mrna molecule, using complementary base pairs. there is a brief time during this process when the newly formed rna is bound to the unwound dna. during this process, an adenine (a) in the dna binds to an uracil (u) in the rna.

step 3: termination

termination is the ending of transcription, and occurs when rna polymerase crosses a stop (termination) sequence in the gene. the mrna strand is complete, and it detaches from dna.

voluntary muscles are controlled by the cerebellum.