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Codon reassignment
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<p>Codon reassignment is the <a href="/facts/Biological_process/jpHldXz2">biological process</a> via which the way the <a href="/facts/Genetic_code/zUK0bY1B">genetic code</a> of a <a href="/facts/Cell_(biology)/bLM9UQvy">cell</a> is read is changed as a response to the environment. Typically <a href="/facts/Codons/zUK0bY1B">codons</a>, sets of three <a href="/facts/Messenger_RNA/oUL6qxQn">mRNA</a> nucleotides, correspond to one specific <a href="/facts/Amino_acid/WDxYwBny">amino acid</a>. Codon reassignment is the exception to this rule. When a codon is reassigned, it codes for a new amino acid. This change in code can have immense consequences for the cell as <a href="/facts/Protein/Jxmagu3E">protein</a> structures are altered. </p>