State the main properties of the genetic code.

(N/A) $1$. Universal: The genetic code is universal. The same codon codes for the same amino acid in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. For example,$UUU$ codes for phenylalanine $(Phe)$ in all organisms,with minor exceptions in mitochondrial codons and some protozoa.
$2$. Specificity: The genetic code is specific. $A$ particular codon always codes for only one specific amino acid.
$3$. Degeneracy: Some amino acids are coded by more than one codon. This property is known as the degeneracy of the genetic code.
$4$. Initiation Codon: The process of translation begins with an initiation codon. $AUG$ codes for methionine and also acts as an initiation codon.
$5$. Non-sense (Termination) Codons: $UAA$,$UGA$,and $UAG$ do not code for any amino acids. They signal the termination of the polypeptide chain synthesis and are therefore called stop or termination codons.
$6$. Colinearity: There is a linear correspondence between the sequence of codons in $mRNA$ and the sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide chain.