Final answer:
Northern blotting is a technique that identifies and measures specific RNA transcripts using a probe that binds to the sequence of interest, allowing for visualization and quantification.
Step-by-step explanation:
An assay called Northern blotting is used to verify the presence and relative size of a specific RNA transcript from a particular cell or developmental stage of an organism with a labeled probe.
The process involves separating RNA fragments on a gel, transferring them to a nylon membrane, and incubating with a probe that will bind to the sequence of interest. The probe is labeled with a molecular beacon, such as radioactivity or fluorescence, allowing for the visualization of hybridized fragments, making it possible to identify and quantitatively measure amounts of specific mRNAs in a sample.