Final answer:
Alternative splicing of mRNA allows different protein products to be produced from a single gene by combining different combinations of exons in eukaryotes. This process is a common mechanism of gene regulation and results in the production of different protein isoforms during different stages of development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alternative splicing of mRNA is a mechanism that allows different protein products to be produced from a single gene by combining different combinations of exons to form the final mRNA. This process is a common mechanism of gene regulation in eukaryotes, with an estimated 70% of human genes expressing multiple proteins through alternative splicing. The original 5'-3' order of exons is always conserved, but the different combinations of exons result in shorter mRNA transcripts and the production of different protein isoforms during different stages of development.