Final answer:
The false statement is that 'eukaryotic genes are arranged into operons, while prokaryotic genes are not', as actually prokaryotic genes are organized into operons, allowing simultaneous regulation of related genes, whereas eukaryotic gene regulation is individually complex and occurs at multiple levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that is FALSE about the difference in gene regulation between prokaryotes and eukaryotes is: Eukaryotic genes are arranged into operons, while prokaryotic genes are not. This statement is incorrect because the truth is actually the opposite. In prokaryotic cells, genes are often arranged into operons, such as the well-known lac operon in E. coli, which allows for the coordinated expression of genes necessary for a common function. In contrast, eukaryotic genes are generally organized individually, each with its own promoter and regulatory sequences.
In prokaryotic gene regulation, the process is simpler, with the regulation of gene expression typically occurring at the transcriptional level. Groups of genes with related functions are transcribed together from a single promoter, creating a polycistronic transcript. In eukaryotic gene regulation, however, gene expression is regulated at multiple levels: epigenetic, transcriptional, and translational. Moreover, eukaryotic transcription and translation processes are separated by the nuclear membrane, adding complexity to the regulation of gene expression.