Final answer:
The assertion that exon/intron gene structures are only found in prokaryotes is false; it is a characteristic feature of eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic genes do not have introns and are often organized into operons for coordinated regulation, whereas eukaryotic genes often have introns that are removed during mRNA processing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that exon/intron gene structures are only found in prokaryotes is false. In fact, it is the eukaryotic genes that are composed of exons and introns. Exons are the sequences that correspond to protein-coding parts of the gene, while introns are the non-coding sequences that are spliced out of the pre-mRNA during processing.
Prokaryotic genes, on the other hand, typically do not contain introns. Their genes are often organized into operons, which are groups of genes that are transcribed together, allowing for coordinated regulation of genes that encode proteins participating in the same pathway or function. For example, the trp operon in E. coli consists of genes required for the synthesis of the amino acid tryptophan, all controlled as a single unit.
Therefore, the unique feature of introns and exons within genes, along with the accompanying process of splicing to generate mature mRNA, is a characteristic of eukaryotic cells, not prokaryotic cells. This distinction in gene structure reflects fundamental differences in the regulation and complexity of gene expression between these two types of organisms.