Video Transcript
What is the primary purpose of
genes in a eukaryotic genome? (A) To comprise the majority of the
DNA in the genome. (B) To provide long sections of
noncoding DNA. (C) To act as regulatory elements
and control what sections of DNA are transcribed and translated. Or (D) to provide the instructions
for making functional units like proteins or RNA molecules.
Let’s consider what we mean by a
eukaryotic genome. Eukaryotic refers to that of a
eukaryote, which is an organism whose cells contain a nucleus and other
membrane-bound organelles. And genome is just the term for all
the genetic material of a particular organism. Eukaryotes typically have large
genomes. So their DNA contains lots of
genes. You may recall that a gene is a
section of DNA which provides the instructions to make a particular product.
Genes can be divided into two
groups: protein-coding genes and noncoding genes. As their name suggests,
protein-coding genes code for proteins that play a specific role within the
body. For example, the hormone insulin is
coded for by a protein-coding gene. Noncoding genes do not code for
proteins but instead produce RNA molecules, which are often involved in regulating
gene expression. An example of one such RNA molecule
is a microRNA.
We have therefore determined that
the correct answer is (D). The primary purpose of genes in a
eukaryotic genome is to provide the instructions for making functional units like
proteins or RNA molecules.
