Answered
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A codon chart is a reference table that maps each three-nucleotide codon in an mRNA sequence to its corresponding amino acid or a translational signal such as a start or stop instruction
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It organizes the 64 possible codons, reflecting the redundancy of the genetic code where most amino acids are encoded by multiple codons
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The chart is used to decode the genetic information during the process of translation, linking the nucleotide sequence to the protein’s amino acid sequence
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It typically displays the codons arranged by nucleotide position to help locate the correct triplet based on the order of nucleotides in the mRNA
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By referring to a codon chart, students and researchers can predict the resulting protein sequence from a given mRNA and understand how mutations may affect protein synthesis
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The concept of a codon chart emerged from mid-20th century research that deciphered the genetic code, laying the foundation for modern molecular biology and genetic engineering
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It is an essential tool in educational settings, laboratory work, and biotechnological applications for understanding gene expression and protein structure and function
