Does the presence of introns/exons in eukaryotic cells provide more potential diversity in gene products (proteins) than is possible in prokaryotic cells?
A) It doesn't. There is the same potential for gene products (proteins) in a bacterium with 1,000 genes as there is in a eukaryotic cell with 1,000 genes.
B) It does. Each exon and each intron could be used individually and discretely to make a gene product (protein). Since bacteria lack these, they will have less ability to create different proteins.
C) It does. Exons/introns can be spliced together in different ways post-transcription to yield different mRNAs (and therefore, different proteins). Bacteria lack this system.
D) It does. Exons/introns can be spliced together in different ways at the DNA level to eventually yield different mRNAs (and therefore, different proteins). Bacteria lack this system.
E) It doesn't. Bacteria and eukaryotes have the same number of introns and exons, and can thus synthesize the same types and numbers of proteins.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Exons and introns in eukaryotic cells allow for alternative splicing of mRNA after transcription, which can produce different proteins from the same gene. This mechanism is absent in prokaryotic cells, which do not have introns and thus have less potential for generating protein diversity from the same number of genes.

Does the Presence of Introns/exons in Eukaryotic Cells Provide More