Final answer:
The four codons that specify the amino acid proline are known as degenerate codons. Degeneracy means that multiple codons can encode the same amino acid, providing a protective redundancy in the genetic code. This feature is universal across all known living organisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The genetic code has four codons called degenerate codons. Degeneracy in the genetic code implies that a single amino acid can be encoded by more than one codon. In the case of proline, these codons provide redundancy, which helps to protect against mutations that could lead to errors in protein synthesis.
It's important to understand that the genetic code is both unambiguous and degenerate. Each codon corresponds to a single amino acid, and no codon specifies more than one amino acid. However, most amino acids, including proline, are specified by multiple codons, which is an example of the redundancy of the genetic code. This feature of the genetic code helps buffer against potential harmful mutations.
The genetic code is also described as universal, meaning these codons for proline are recognized in virtually all living organisms, from the simplest bacteria to the most complex animals, including humans.