The genetic code is thought to have evolved to maximize genetic stability by minimizing the effect on protein function of most substitution mutations (single-base changes). we will use the six arginine codons to test this idea. consider all of the substitutions that could affect all of the six arginine codons.

part a how many total mutations are possible?

part b how many of these mutations are "silent," in the sense that the mutant codon is changed to another arg codon

part c how many of these mutations are conservative, in the sense that an arg codon is changed to a functionally similar lys codon?