Final answer:
A mutation in the intron of mRNA can lead to different outcomes, from no impact to significant alteration in protein function. This is due to the potential effects on RNA splicing, which might alter the amino acid sequence or include part of the intron in the final protein, hence creating a defective protein.
Step-by-step explanation:
A mutation in the intron of an mRNA can have various effects on the protein produced, depending on the nature of the mutation. In general, introns are non-coding regions that are removed during the RNA splicing process. However, mutations in introns can affect this process.
If a mutation within an intron leads to alternative splicing, it could result in the inclusion or exclusion of different exons, potentially resulting in a functional protein with an altered amino acid sequence. In some cases, a mutation in an intron can also lead to the inclusion of intron sequences in the mature mRNA, potentially leading to a defective protein.
One example of mutation is a transversion mutation within the introns, which can lead to alternative splicing. If it results in a functional protein being produced, the effect may not necessarily be detrimental. However, detrimental impacts are possible if the mutation disrupts important regulatory elements within the introns that are crucial for proper gene expression and mRNA processing.