Which type of mutation has the potential to code for a different amino acid?

A missense mutation is a type of mutation that results in a change in one amino acid in the protein sequence. This occurs when a single nucleotide change leads to the substitution of one amino acid for another. Because the genetic code is degenerate (several codons can code for the same amino acid), a change in one nucleotide may result in a different amino acid being incorporated into the protein. This has the potential to alter the function of the protein or its activity, depending on the specific amino acid that is replaced and its role in the protein structure.

In contrast, a silent mutation does not change the amino acid sequence, as the altered codon still codes for the same amino acid due to the redundancy in the genetic code. A nonsense mutation introduces a premature stop codon, leading to an incomplete protein that usually lacks functional capabilities. A neutral mutation typically refers to a change that neither benefits nor harms the organism, and while the specific amino acid may change, its overall impact on fitness is minimal. Therefore, the ability of a mutation to code for a different amino acid distinctly characterizes a missense mutation.