What is a significant effect of a missense mutation?

A missense mutation is a type of point mutation where a single nucleotide change results in the substitution of one amino acid for another in a protein. This alteration can have significant effects on the protein's structure and function, leading to the production of a nonfunctional protein in some cases.

The functioning of a protein depends heavily on its specific amino acid sequence, which dictates its three-dimensional structure and, consequently, its biological activity. When a missense mutation occurs, if the substituted amino acid has different properties than the original (e.g., charge, hydrophobicity), it can disrupt the folding and stability of the protein, potentially rendering it nonfunctional.

In some instances, a missense mutation may also lead to the production of a protein that functions improperly, which can cause various diseases or disorders. Therefore, the significant effect of a missense mutation is that it can indeed lead to the production of a nonfunctional protein, thereby having considerable consequences for the organism.