Final answer:
The genetic code's consistency among diverse organisms is described as universal. This universality, alongside characteristics like codon bias and degeneracy, underscores a common evolutionary history for all known living organisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The consistency of the genetic code across different organisms is generally known as being universal. This means that with relatively few exceptions, nearly all species utilize the same genetic code for the synthesis of proteins. The idea that a sequence such as the mRNA encoding for globin in horses could be understood and utilized by a completely different species like a tulip to produce the same protein is a testament to the genetic code's universality. The universal genetic code serves as strong evidence that all life on Earth has a common origin. The fact that there is such a numerically vast array of potential combinations with 20 amino acids and 64 codons, but only one genetic code is used, reinforces the notion of this common lineage.
Characteristics like codon bias, where certain organisms preferentially use codons richer in A-T or G-C, add to the complexity and diversity within the universal genetic code. The code is also described as degenerate, meaning that most amino acids are encoded by more than one codon. Despite these variables, the overarching universality holds true, indicating that all known living organisms share a common evolutionary history.