Why is the genetic code considered degenerate?

The genetic code is considered degenerate because most amino acids are encoded by more than one codon. This means that there are multiple sequences of three nucleotides (codons) in the mRNA that can lead to the same amino acid being incorporated into a protein during translation. For instance, the amino acid leucine can be coded by six different codons: UUA, UUG, CUU, CUC, CUA, and CUG. This redundancy in the genetic code provides a buffer against mutations, as a change in the DNA sequence may not necessarily lead to a change in the corresponding protein, thus aiding in protein stability and function. This characteristic of the genetic code is vital for the robustness of biological systems, allowing for diversity in the genetic code while minimizing potential negative impacts from mutations.