What is defined as a mutation that does not change the amino acid created?

A silent mutation is a specific type of mutation that occurs when there is a change in the DNA sequence, but this alteration does not lead to a change in the amino acid sequence of the protein produced. Because of the redundancy in the genetic code, multiple codons can code for the same amino acid. Thus, even though the DNA sequence may change, the corresponding mRNA codon may still specify the same amino acid, leaving the final protein unchanged.

For example, if a mutation changes a codon from UUA to UUG, both codons code for the amino acid leucine. As a result, the mutation is termed "silent" since it has no effect on the resulting protein's structure or function. Understanding this concept is crucial in genetics and molecular biology, particularly when considering how different types of mutations can affect gene expression and protein function.