Synonymous substitutions are possible because
A) most changes in DNA are either deleterious or selectively neutral.
B) mutation rates are high.
C) mutation rates are low.
D) most amino acids are specified by more than one codon.
E) most codons are specified by more than one amino acid.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Synonymous substitutions refer to changes in DNA that result in the same amino acid being coded for by a different codon. This is possible because most amino acids are specified by more than one codon. Therefore, even if a particular codon is mutated, it may still result in the same amino acid being incorporated into the polypeptide chain, and thus have no effect on the final protein product.

Synonymous Substitutions Are Possible Because