amino acid substitutions

Amino acid substitutions occur when a change in a gene causes a different amino acid to be added to a protein. Proteins are made of chains of amino acids that determine their shape and function. When one amino acid is replaced by another, it can alter how the protein folds or works, potentially affecting biological processes. These substitutions can be harmless, beneficial, or sometimes cause diseases. They are a natural part of genetic variation and evolution, and scientists study them to understand health conditions, develop treatments, or trace ancestry.