The Ka/Ks ratio is used to infer the direction and magnitude of natural selection acting on protein coding genes. A ratio greater than 1 implies positive or Darwinian selection (driving change); less than 1 implies purifying or stabilizing selection (acting against change); and a ratio of exactly 1 indicates neutral (i.e.
The Ka/Ks ratio is utilized to discern the direction and magnitude of natural selection influencing protein-coding genes. A ratio exceeding one indicates Darwinian selection (driving evolution); a ratio below one signifies stabilizing selection (preventing change); and a ratio of one implies neutral evolution.