Explanation:

The genetic code is a set of rules by which the DNA or mRNA sequence is translated into the amino acid sequence in a protein. Each amino acid is represented by a sequence of three nucleotides called codons. However, there are more codons than there are amino acids, which means that some amino acids are coded by more than one codon. This property of the genetic code is referred to as degeneracy.

Reasons for degeneracy:
The degeneracy of the genetic code has several reasons:

1. Redundancy: There are 20 different amino acids but only four different nucleotides (A, T/U, G, C). Since each codon is composed of three nucleotides, there are a total of 64 possible codons (4^3). Therefore, multiple codons can code for the same amino acid, leading to redundancy or degeneracy.

2. Protective mechanism: Degeneracy provides a protective mechanism against mutations. Mutations in the DNA sequence can lead to changes in a codon, but if the codon still codes for the same amino acid, the resulting protein may not be functionally affected.

3. Evolutionary advantage: Degeneracy allows for more flexibility in the genetic code. It provides a buffer against errors in DNA replication or transcription, as well as allowing for adaptation to changing environmental conditions.

Examples:
Some examples of degeneracy in the genetic code include:

1. The amino acid leucine is coded by six different codons: UUA, UUG, CUU, CUC, CUA, and CUG.

2. The amino acid serine is coded by six different codons: UCU, UCC, UCA, UCG, AGU, and AGC.

3. The amino acid arginine is coded by six different codons: CGU, CGC, CGA, CGG, AGA, and AGG.

Significance:
The degeneracy of the genetic code allows for redundancy and flexibility, which is important for several biological processes:

1. Translation efficiency: Multiple codons coding for the same amino acid allow for faster and more efficient protein synthesis.

2. Evolutionary adaptation: The degeneracy of the genetic code allows for the accumulation of genetic variations over time, leading to the evolution of new traits and species.

3. Genetic engineering: The ability to use different codons to code for the same amino acid is utilized in genetic engineering techniques to optimize protein expression in various organisms.

In conclusion, the genetic code is degenerate because some amino acids are coded by more than one codon. This degeneracy provides redundancy, protection against mutations, and flexibility in the genetic code, allowing for efficient protein synthesis and evolutionary adaptation.