What are the important features of Genetic code ?

Explanation

The important features of Genetic code are :
(1) The codon is Triplet. 61 codons code for amino acids and 3 codons do not code for any amino acids, hence they function as stop codons.
(2) One codon codes for only one amino acid, hence it is unambiguous and specific.
(3) Some amino acids are coded by more than one codon, hence the code is degenerate.
(4) The codon is read in mRNA in a contiguous fashion. There are no punctuations.
(5) The code is nearly universal. For example from bacteria to human, UUU would code for pheylalaline (Phe). Some exceptions to this rule have been found in mitochondrial codons, and in some protozoans.
(6) AUG has dual functions. It codes for Methionine (Met) and also acts as the initiotor codon.