Final answer:
The genetic code consists of triplet codons that specify amino acids in a protein, with the feature of degeneracy allowing multiple codons to specify the same amino acid. This degeneracy reduces the impact of mutations. The code is universal among organisms, and tRNA molecules help translate the mRNA codon sequence into an amino acid sequence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The system of codons in our DNA describes the way in which three-nucleotide sequences, known as triplet codons, dictate the sequence of amino acids during the synthesis of proteins.
Each codon corresponds to a specific amino acid. However, the system is considered to be degenerate because multiple codons can specify the same amino acid. This feature is an evolutionary advantage as it reduces the impact of random mutations. For instance, if a mutation occurs in the nucleotide at the wobble position, the same or a chemically similar amino acid might still be incorporated, potentially maintaining protein function.
The genetic code is also described as being universal across almost all organisms, and its unambiguous nature means that each codon codes for only a single amino acid, start, or stop signal. This is decoded during translation with the help of tRNA molecules that match codons in the mRNA to the appropriate amino acids.