Final answer:
The statement is true; conserved nucleotide sequences in introns are essential for precise RNA splicing via spliceosomes, which is necessary to produce functional proteins from mRNA transcripts in eukaryotic cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that 'conserved nucleotide sequences found in introns are required for correct RNA splicing' is true. Eukaryotic genes contain exons and introns. Exons are protein-coding sequences, whereas introns are noncoding sequences that intervene between exons. During RNA splicing, introns must be completely and precisely removed from the pre-mRNA. The removal and reconnection of exons must be done with single-nucleotide precision to ensure the proper functioning of the resulting protein.
Spliceosomes are responsible for this precise splicing, recognizing conserved sequences such as the GU at the 5' end and the AG at the 3' end of the intron. Dysfunctional splicing can lead to a shift in the reading frame, rendering the protein nonfunctional. Additionally, alternative splicing can occur, where different mRNA transcripts are produced from the same DNA sequence by varying the pattern of exon inclusion and intron removal.