Recent research has suggested that some pseudogenes and non-protein-coding DNA code for RNAs that affect transcription of coding regions. This suggests that

Question

A.  pseudogenes code for proteins.
B.  non-protein-coding DNA has no function.
C.  non-protein-coding DNA may regulate gene expression.
D.  pseudogenes have no function.

Clarify Question
 · What is the key concept addressed by the question?
· What type of thinking is required?
· What key words does the question contain and what do they mean?
 
Gather Content
· What do you already know about non-protein-coding DNA?

Consider Possibilities
· Consider the different answer options. Which can you rule out?
  Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?
 
Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
 

Answer 1

C.  non-protein-coding DNA may regulate gene expression.

Clarify Question
  · What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        o This question addresses non-protein-coding DNA.
· What type of thinking is required?
        o This question is asking you to take what you already know and apply it to this unfamiliar situation.
· What key words does the question contain and what do they mean?
        o Pseudogenes are old genes that have become inactive, often due to a STOP codon.
        o Non-protein-coding DNA is any DNA that does not lead to a protein product.
 
Gather Content
· What do you already know about non-protein-coding DNA?
        o Non-protein-coding DNA is responsible for much of the variation in genome size between different species.
        o Non-protein-coding DNA was once called “junk DNA”, but scientists have begun to appreciate ways it may be functionally important.
 
Consider Possibilities
· Consider the different answer options. Which can you rule out?
        o Do the RNAs from non-protein-coding DNA suggest that pseudogenes code for proteins? No, this does not necessarily mean they produce proteins.
        o Do the RNAs from non-protein-coding DNA suggest that non-protein-coding DNA has no function? No. In fact this suggests that it may have a regulatory function.
        o Do the RNAs from non-protein-coding DNA suggest that pseudogenes have no function? No. Some pseudogenes may also have a previously-unrecognized regulatory function.
  Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        o Do the RNAs from non-protein-coding DNA suggest that non-protein-coding DNA may regulate gene expression? Yes. If the RNAs regulate transcription of other genes, this may be an important regulatory function, maintaining the presence of the DNA.
 
Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
        o This question asked what is suggested by the fact that non-protein-coding DNA may produce RNAs that affect transcription.         o The question required you to take what you already know and apply it to this unfamiliar situation.
        o Did you recognize that these regions may function to regulate the expression of other genes?