What do we mean when we say that the genetic code is degenerate?A single codon can encode more than one amino acid.An amino acid
can be encoded by more than one codon.Codons are not always read correctly, resulting in the insertion of the wrong amino acid.A frameshift mutation usually results in abnormal protein.
An amino acid can be encoded by more than one codon.
Explanation:
Codons are triplets of nucleotides in mRNA that are used for the protein synthesis (translation). A codon specifies a single amino acid, but there are exceptions. tRNA molecule contain anticodons, triplets of nucleotides that are complementary to codons. So, during the translation, tRNA carries the amino acid, that corresponds to the codon in mRNA.
Degenerate genetic code (more than one codon can code for the same amino acid) is important, because when point mutation occurs it is possible that the amino acid remains unchanged.
