Which mutation would be more harmful: A mutation in the DNA or one in the mRNA? Explain?
DNA. mRNA is made from a DNA template. If DNA is messed up, all subsequent mRNA made from that DNA will also be messed up. DNA is like a “master copy” of the blueprints for making proteins, while mRNA is like a photocopy you’d make from a library book to use breifly, and then throw away. DNA mutation will also mean that any daughter cells that are made by that cell will be similarly mutated, and if the DNA is in a gamete cell, then the offspring of that organism might be comepletely mutated in every DNA cell in their body. mRNA is short-lived, and generally not to stable to begin with.
