Table of contents

1. Introduction to Genetics51m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
8. DNA Replication1h 10m
9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
10. Transcription1h 0m
11. Translation58m
12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
14. Genetic Control of Development44m
15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
16. Transposable Elements47m
17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- Genetic Cloning
  9m
- Methods for Analyzing DNA
  9m
19. Cancer Genetics29m
- Overview of Cancer
  21m
- Cancer Mutations
  7m
20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
21. Population Genetics50m
- Hardy Weinberg
  19m
- Allelic Frequency Changes
  31m
22. Evolutionary Genetics29m

13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes

Overview of Eukaryotic Gene Regulation

Genetics

13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes

Overview of Eukaryotic Gene Regulation

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0:42 minutes

Problem 1a

Textbook Question

How do we know that alternative splicing enables one gene to encode different isoforms with different functions?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of alternative splicing: it is a process during gene expression where a single pre-mRNA transcript can be spliced in different ways to produce multiple mature mRNA variants, leading to different protein isoforms from one gene.

Examine experimental evidence where researchers isolate mRNA transcripts from the same gene and use techniques like RT-PCR or RNA sequencing to identify different splice variants, confirming that multiple mRNAs arise from one gene.

Analyze protein products corresponding to these different mRNA isoforms using methods such as Western blotting or mass spectrometry to show that distinct protein isoforms are produced.

Investigate functional assays where different isoforms are expressed in cells or organisms to observe differences in their biological activity or localization, demonstrating that these isoforms have different functions.

Review genetic or molecular experiments where mutations affecting splicing patterns alter the production of specific isoforms and lead to changes in phenotype, further supporting the role of alternative splicing in generating functional diversity from a single gene.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Alternative Splicing

Alternative splicing is a process during gene expression where different combinations of exons are joined together from a single pre-mRNA transcript. This results in multiple mRNA variants from one gene, producing protein isoforms with diverse structures and functions, increasing proteomic complexity without increasing gene number.

Experimental Evidence for Alternative Splicing

Scientists use techniques like RT-PCR, RNA sequencing, and protein analysis to detect different mRNA and protein isoforms from the same gene. Functional assays and mutational studies help demonstrate that these isoforms have distinct biological roles, confirming that alternative splicing generates functionally diverse proteins.

Posttranscriptional Regulation of Gene Expression

Posttranscriptional regulation involves control mechanisms acting on RNA after transcription, including splicing, editing, and stability. Alternative splicing is a key posttranscriptional mechanism that modulates which protein variants are produced, allowing cells to adapt protein function to developmental stages or environmental cues.