How can mutations affect protein synthesis?

Mutations can have a significant impact on protein synthesis, particularly by changing the amino acid sequence of the protein. When a mutation occurs in the DNA sequence that codes for a particular protein, it can lead to a change in the corresponding mRNA produced during transcription. This altered mRNA may then be translated into a protein with a different sequence of amino acids, which can affect the protein's structure and function.

The amino acid sequence is critical because even a single change can lead to a nonfunctional protein or one that performs a different function altogether. For example, a mutation might replace one amino acid with another that has different chemical properties, potentially influencing the protein's shape and activity.

While mutations can indeed alter the nucleotide sequence of mRNA, the more profound and directly relevant effect in the context of this question is how they ultimately lead to a change in the protein. This connection emphasizes the importance of amino acid sequences in protein functionality and the implications mutations can have in biological systems.