If you are told that the allele that produces a widow's peak differs by only a single nucleotide that changes a single amino acid from the allele that does not produce a widow's peak, which type of mutation occurred between these alleles?

Select one:

a. silent mutation

b. rearrangement

c. deletion

d. missense mutation

e. insertion

f. nonsense mutation

The correct answer is option d, that is, missense mutation.

Explanation:

A missense mutation is a kind of nonsynonymous substitution. In this form of mutation, a modification in a solitary nucleotide takes place that results in the formation of a codon that codes for a distinct amino acid. In this mutation, a change in DNA nucleotide results in the administration of a different amino acid within a protein. Though the mutation is not that harmful, however, it can slow down the working of a specific protein.