A part of the promoter, called the TATA box, is said to be highly conserved in evolution. Which of the following might this illustrate?
A) The sequence evolves very rapidly.
B) The sequence does not mutate.
C) Any mutation in the sequence is selected against.
D) The sequence is found in many but not all promoters.
E) The sequence is transcribed at the start of every gene.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Any mutation in the TATA box is likely to be selected against because it plays a crucial role in the initiation of transcription by providing a binding site for transcription factors. Its high conservation across species indicates that changes to this sequence can significantly disrupt gene expression, leading to negative selection pressures against mutations.

A Part of the Promoter, Called the TATA Box, Is