Final answer:
Alternative gene splicing of introns during post-transcriptional modification of mRNA provides an evolutionary advantage by allowing a single gene to code for different proteins.
Step-by-step explanation:
Introduction:
Post-transcriptional modification of mRNA plays a crucial role in gene expression control. One of the processes involved in mRNA modification is alternative gene splicing, where introns are removed and exons are reconnected. This allows a single gene to produce different proteins and is an evolutionary advantage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alternative gene splicing allows for increased protein diversity and functional complexity. By removing introns that do not code for proteins and reconnecting exons in different sequences, different protein variants can be produced from a single gene. This enables organisms to adapt to and respond to different environmental conditions.
Example:
A well-known example of alternative gene splicing is the Dscam gene in fruit flies. This gene has 95 exons, and through alternative splicing, it can generate thousands of different protein isoforms. These isoforms play a crucial role in the development of the fly's nervous systz