Codon usage refers to the frequency with which different codons are used to encode the same amino acid in the genetic code, and it can influence gene expression and protein synthesis efficiency. This phenomenon is shaped by evolutionary pressures and can vary significantly between organisms and even between genes within the same organism.

Codon Usage

Codon usage

Frequency of codons

The genetic code is a set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material (DNA or RNA sequences) is translated into proteins by living cells. It is universal across almost all organisms, highlighting the shared evolutionary heritage of life on Earth.

genetic code

Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product, typically proteins, which ultimately determine cellular function and phenotype. This process is tightly regulated at multiple levels, including transcription, RNA processing, translation, and post-translational modifications, to ensure proper cellular function and response to environmental cues.

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