Question

Which of the following statements is not true about mRNA?

a. prokaryotic mRNA may contain multiple structural genes on the same transcript, known as polycistronic mRNA.
b. eukaryotes only transcribe one gene at a time on mRNA, called monocistronic mRNA
c. some eukaryotes are capable of having polycistronic mRNA
d. eukaryotes almost always produce polycistronic mRNA
e. the genes for metabolic pathways in bacteria are typically located close together and transcribed on one mRNA

Answer 1

The correct answer is d. eukaryotes almost always produce polycistronic mRNA

Step-by-step explanation:

mRNA can be polycistronic or monocistronic. A monocistronic mRNA contains the information of one gene only so a monocistronic mRNA code only one protein at a time but a polycistronic mRNA can code for multiple proteins at a time.

In eukaryotes, one transcriptional unit carries the information of only one protein so eukaryotes produce monocistronic mRNA but some eukaryotes are capable of having polycistronic mRNA.

In prokaryotes, many genes are transcribed as a unit to produce multiple proteins so prokaryotes produce polycistronic mRNA. Therefore the statement which is not true is d. eukaryotes almost always produce polycistronic mRNA.