Final answer:
The genetic code is degenerate, meaning that codons that specify the same amino acid typically differ in the base at a specific position number. This allows for redundancy in the genetic code and helps reduce the negative impact of random mutations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The genetic code is degenerate, meaning that codons that specify the same amino acid typically differ in the base at a specific position number. This allows for redundancy in the genetic code and helps reduce the negative impact of random mutations. For example, the codons ACU, ACC, ACA, and ACG all code for the amino acid threonine, but they differ in the third nucleotide base. Similarly, codons for amino acids with chemically similar side chains also differ at specific positions.