Mutations can greatly affect how our body makes proteins. This happens through two key processes: transcription and translation. Let’s break it down:

1. Types of Mutations:

   • Point Mutations: This is when a single building block of DNA called a nucleotide changes. This small change can add a different amino acid into the protein, changing its shape and how it works.
   • Insertions/Deletions: Sometimes, extra nucleotides can get added, or some can be taken away. This can mess up how the message is read during translation, making completely different or nonworking proteins.

2. Examples:

   • In sickle cell anemia, just one tiny change in the DNA leads to a different amino acid being used in hemoglobin. This makes red blood cells take on a weird shape.
   • A frameshift mutation can happen when a nucleotide is added or removed. This can cause the message to run into a stop signal too early, cutting the protein short and possibly making it useless.

In short, mutations can change how transcription and translation work. This, in turn, affects how our cells function as a whole.