What is meant by 'the genetic code is degenerate'?

The statement 'the genetic code is degenerate' refers to the phenomenon where multiple codons can encode for the same amino acid. In this context, there are 64 different codon combinations (derived from 4 nucleotides arranged in triplets) and only 20 different amino acids used in protein synthesis. This means that most amino acids are specified by more than one codon, providing a degree of redundancy in the genetic code.

This redundancy, or degeneracy, is important for genetic stability and can help mitigate the effects of mutations. For instance, if a mutation occurs in a codon that leads to a change in a single nucleotide, it may still produce the same amino acid due to the fact that multiple codons code for it.

The other options do not accurately describe the concept of degeneracy in the genetic code.