In birds,a gene encoding a Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel is expressed in auditory hair cells as multiple mRNAs,which encode for proteins that open at different Ca²⁺ concentrations.The Ca²⁺ concentration at which the channel opens allows these cells to respond to different sound frequencies.Which one of the following would explain the appearance of the various isoforms of this particular channel?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Alternative splicing is the process by which different combinations of exons (coding regions) are spliced together to form different mRNAs from a single gene. In this case, the multiple mRNAs encoding for different isoforms of the Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel in auditory hair cells are likely due to alternative splicing. The different isoforms open at different Ca²⁺ concentrations, allowing the cells to respond to different sound frequencies.

In Birds,a Gene Encoding a Ca²⁺-Activated K⁺ Channel Is Expressed