Final answer:
The codons CCU, CCC, CCA, and CCG all coding for proline is an example of the degeneracy of the universal genetic code, which allows multiple codons to specify the same amino acid, protecting against mutations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The codons CCU, CCC, CCA, and CCG all code for the amino acid proline. This example describes the degeneracy of the genetic code. In biology, the term 'degeneracy' refers to the fact that a single amino acid can be encoded by multiple codons. The universal genetic code is redundant, meaning multiple codon sequences can specify the same amino acid. This redundancy within the genetic code serves as a protective mechanism against mutations, as changes, particularly at the third position of a codon, are less likely to change the amino acid and therefore the function of the protein synthesized.
Each codon, which is a sequence of three nucleotides, corresponds to a specific amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis. The sequence of codons in an mRNA molecule dictates the sequence of amino acids in the resulting protein. This universality and redundancy are crucial for the stability of biological processes across different organisms.