What is a codon chart?

Sourav PanApril 16, 2025

Answered

• 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

• It organizes the 64 possible codons, reflecting the redundancy of the genetic code where most amino acids are encoded by multiple codons

• 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

• It typically displays the codons arranged by nucleotide position to help locate the correct triplet based on the order of nucleotides in the mRNA

• 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

• 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

• It is an essential tool in educational settings, laboratory work, and biotechnological applications for understanding gene expression and protein structure and function