Final Answer:
The genetic code has 64 codons, while there are only 20 amino acids. Thus, some amino acids are coded for by more than one codon. As a result, The genetic code is said to be (2) degenerate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term (2)"degenerate" in the context of the genetic code refers to the redundancy in the coding system, where more than one codon can specify the same amino acid. In the case of the genetic code, there are 64 possible codons formed by combinations of the four nucleotide bases (A, U, G, and C), while there are only 20 different amino acids. This degeneracy allows for flexibility in the coding system and provides a level of robustness against errors or mutations, as multiple codons can code for the same amino acid.
This redundancy is evident in the genetic code table, where different codons, such as UCU, UCC, UCA, UCG, AGU, and AGC, all encode for the amino acid serine.
The degeneracy of the genetic code is a fundamental feature that enhances the stability and adaptability of the genetic information, enabling organisms to tolerate changes in the DNA sequence without necessarily altering the amino acid sequence of the proteins they encode.
Understanding the degenerate nature of the genetic code is crucial in fields like molecular biology and genetics, as it influences how we interpret and analyze DNA sequences. The concept of degeneracy underscores the versatility of the genetic code and its ability to withstand mutations, contributing to the robustness of the cellular machinery that translates genetic information into functional proteins.