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Splicing

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Biology for Non-STEM Majors

Definition

Splicing is the process by which introns are removed from pre-mRNA and exons are joined together to form mature mRNA. This step is crucial for the proper translation of genetic information into proteins.

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5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. 1. Splicing occurs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.
  2. 2. The spliceosome, a large RNA-protein complex, facilitates splicing.
  3. 3. Alternative splicing allows a single gene to produce multiple protein variants.
  4. 4. Introns are non-coding regions that are removed during splicing, while exons are coding sequences that remain.
  5. 5. Errors in splicing can lead to diseases such as cancer and spinal muscular atrophy.

Review Questions

  • 1. What is the role of the spliceosome in the splicing process?
  • 2. How does alternative splicing contribute to protein diversity?
  • 3. What can be the consequence of errors occurring during splicing?
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