The genetic code is the set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material (such as DNA or RNA) is translated into proteins. The genetic code consists of three-nucleotide sequences, called codons, which specify the amino acid order in a protein. Each codon corresponds to a specific amino acid, and the sequence of codons in a gene determines the sequence of amino acids in the corresponding protein. The genetic code is nearly universal, meaning that it is used by almost all living organisms to translate genetic information into proteins.