[Campbell Biology P.506] The text describes "exon shuffling" as a process that contributes t... | Practice Question
The text describes "exon shuffling" as a process that contributes to gene evolution. Which of the following best describes the outcome or mechanism of exon shuffling as presented in the passage?
A: Exon shuffling is the mixing and matching of different exons, either within a gene or between nonallelic genes, often due to errors in meiotic recombination, leading to new proteins with novel combinations of functions.
B: Exon shuffling primarily results in the loss of genetic material, leading to shorter, less functional proteins.
C: Exon shuffling is a common mechanism for creating identical copies of genes, thereby increasing gene dosage but not functional diversity.
D: Exon shuffling is a process exclusive to prokaryotic organisms, allowing them to rapidly adapt to new environments.
Explanation
The passage states: "As an alternative possibility, we can imagine the occasional mixing and matching of different exons either within a gene or between two different nonallelic genes owing to errors in meiotic recombination. This process, termed exon shuffling, could lead to new proteins with novel combinations of functions."