Why is degeneracy in genetic code beneficial?

There are multiple beneficial effects of degeneracy in the genetic code. Having multiple codons coding for the same amino acid provides a form of protection from mutations during transcription and translation. If a mutation occurs in the DNA sequence that alters a single nucleotide within a codon, there's a higher chance that the altered codon still codes for the same amino acid due to degeneracy. Additionally, the degenerate nature of the genetic code enhances the efficiency of protein synthesis by enabling multiple transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules with different anticodons to recognize and attach to the same codon on the mRNA molecule. The degenerate genetic code also contributes to the evolution of novel proteins and the emergence of gene families. When mutations introduce new codons for a specific amino acid, it can lead to the creation of new genes that encode slightly altered proteins. This process may result in the development of new adaptations or functions.