Final answer:
The term describing the feature of the genetic code that allows a single amino acid to be coded by multiple codons is 'degeneracy.' This redundancy, especially at the wobble position, reduces the impact of mutations on protein synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used to describe the feature of the genetic code, where each amino acid can be coded for by more than one codon, is known as degeneracy. In the genetic code, 61 codons specify the addition of amino acids to a polypeptide chain, with a single amino acid possibly being encoded by multiple codons, commonly varying at the third nucleotide, the wobble position. This redundancy reduces the negative effects of mutations, ensuring that a change in one nucleotide might still code for the same or a similar amino acid, thus preserving protein function.
For example, the amino acid threonine is coded by the codons ACU, ACC, ACA, and ACG. This aspect of redundancy in the genetic code helps to prevent errors in protein synthesis that could arise from accidental changes in codon sequences. Such error tolerance contributed by degeneracy makes the genetic code robust against certain mutations.