Northern blot analysis can be used to determine the relative amount and size of different RNA transcripts. Above is a representation of a northern blot analysis of several different tissues for the expression of a single gene. Which of the following statements is correct?
A) Some of the samples contain incompletely processed mRNA
B) Some of the samples contain pre-mRNA
C) The mRNA is differentially spliced
D) All tissues express identical proteins

Question

Northern blot analysis can be used to determine the relative amount and size of different RNA transcripts. Above is a representation of a northern blot analysis of several different tissues for the expression of a single gene. Which of the following statements is correct?
A) Some of the samples contain incompletely processed mRNA 
B) Some of the samples contain pre-mRNA 
C) The mRNA is differentially spliced 
D) All tissues express identical proteins

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of multiple bands on the northern blot suggests that the mRNA for this gene is differentially spliced, with different tissues expressing different variants of the transcript. Option A and B are not correct because fully processed mRNA is required for northern blot analysis and incompletely processed mRNA or pre-mRNA would not be detected by this technique. Option D cannot be inferred from this experiment.

Northern Blot Analysis Can Be Used to Determine the Relative