Describe the nature of the genetic code

A base triplet (sequence of 3 bases) encodes a single amino acid. The same base triplet codes for the same amino acid in all organisms, meaning that the genetic code is universal. In addition the code is non-overlapping; each base is used to code for just one amino acid and forms part of just one base triplet.The genetic code is also degenerate, as more than one base triplet has the ability to code for some amino acids. Some codons don't encode amino acids but instead act as 'start' or 'stop' codes to signal where to initiate and terminate transcription.