Question

With respect to RNA processing, which of the following is false?

1) RNA processing leads to the production of alternative gene products.
2) Some introns are removed by spliceosomes.
3) Some introns are self-splicing.
4) Prokaryotic mRNAs are polyadenylated at the 3' end.
5) Chemical modification occurs in tRNA transcripts.

Answer 1

The false statement about RNA processing is that prokaryotic mRNAs are polyadenylated, a feature common in eukaryotes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement regarding RNA processing that is false is: 4) Prokaryotic mRNAs are polyadenylated at the 3' end.

RNA processing is crucial in eukaryotic cells for the modification of pre-mRNA into mature mRNA, which is then translated into proteins. During this process, a 5' methylguanosine cap is added, and a poly-A tail is added to the 3' end of pre-mRNAs. These modifications protect the mRNA from degradation and are important for efficient export from the nucleus and subsequent translation in the cytoplasm. Additionally, introns are removed from pre-mRNAs by spliceosomes or through self-splicing mechanisms, and exons are joined to form the final mRNA sequence. Alternative splicing can lead to the production of alternative gene products from a single gene. Chemical modifications are commonly found within tRNA transcripts, such as nucleotide methylation and conversion, which help in the correct functionality of tRNAs during protein synthesis. However, the statement about prokaryotic mRNAs being polyadenylated is false; this feature is typical of eukaryotic mRNAs, not prokaryotic ones.