Question

What is a reason that the proteome is larger than the genome?

a) Alternative splicing
b) Proteins are constantly being synthesized and degraded
c) Each protein has a specific function which is quite varied while the genes in the genome are only transcribed
d) Each protein has multiple functional domains while each gene consists of three basic parts

Answer 1

The proteome is larger than the genome because of alternative splicing and other post-translational modifications, which allow a single gene to encode multiple protein variants and result in a diverse array of proteins.

Step-by-step explanation:

A reason that the proteome is larger than the genome is due to alternative splicing. This process allows for multiple protein variants to be encoded by a single gene, expanding the variety of proteins that a cell can produce. The genome provides the instructions, while the proteome is dynamic and reflects the cell's response to various factors. Due to alternative splicing and other post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation and glycosylation, the diversity of the proteome can far exceed the number of genes in the genome.

Additionally, the proteome varies within multicellular organisms as different cells and tissues express different subsets of proteins.