The genetic code defines the relationship between DNA/mRNA sequences and amino acid sequences in proteins. It has the following key properties: codons are 3 nucleotides; codons do not overlap; the code is nearly universal across organisms; and most codons are degenerate, with synonymous codons specifying the same amino acid. Translation of mRNA into protein involves tRNA charged with amino acids, ribosomes, and initiation, elongation and termination factors. It occurs in four main steps: initiation, elongation, termination.