[Campbell Biology P.384] The "Study Tip" on the page instructs to assume all processes take ... | Practice Question

The "Study Tip" on the page instructs to assume all processes take place in a eukaryotic cell. Considering this, and Key Concept 17.3, which of the following processes is characteristic of gene expression specifically in eukaryotic cells that modifies RNA after transcription?

  • A: Transcription of DNA into mRNA occurs in the cytoplasm.
  • B: Ribosomes directly translate DNA into proteins.
  • C: RNA splicing removes introns from pre-mRNA.
  • D: DNA replication is a crucial step immediately following transcription.

Explanation

Key Concept 17.3 explicitly states: 'Eukaryotic cells modify RNA after transcription'. RNA splicing, the process of removing non-coding introns and joining coding exons from pre-mRNA, is a hallmark of post-transcriptional modification in eukaryotes, which is essential for forming mature mRNA that can be translated.