Okay, everyone. An mRNA poly a tail has what function? Okay. So remember that the poly a tail is gonna be added to the 3 prime end of the mRNA and a 5 prime cap is added to the 5 prime end of the mRNA during RNA modification, which happens in eukaryotes. But what's the purpose of this? Let's look at answer choice a. Prevents translation. Well, then what's the point of the mRNA if it cannot be translated? So no. This is not the reason for the poly A tail. It does not prevent translation. Answer choice b says it prevents transcription. Well, that would be weird because for the mRNA to even be created, it has to be transcribed. And we know that transcription happens before mRNA modification. So that really doesn't make any sense. It's not going to prevent something that already happened. Answer choice c says that it marks the RNA for degradation. Well, that would suck if you marked it with for degradation, then that protein would never be made. So this is not the correct answer either. In fact, it protects the mRNA from degradation by covering up those linear ends of the mRNA. It is protecting it from being degraded until it is allowed to be translated into a protein. So the correct answer here is answer choice d. An mRNA poly a tail is going to protect the mRNA from being degraded. Okay, everyone. Let's move on to our next video.

Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

15. Gene Expression

Eukaryotic RNA Processing and Splicing

General Biology

15. Gene Expression

Eukaryotic RNA Processing and Splicing

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Multiple Choice

A mRNA poly-A tail:

Prevents translation.

Prevents transcription.

Marks the RNA for degradation.

Protects the mRNA from degradation.

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the role of the poly-A tail in mRNA. The poly-A tail is a stretch of adenine nucleotides added to the 3' end of eukaryotic mRNA molecules.

Recognize that the poly-A tail is not involved in preventing translation or transcription. Instead, it plays a role in the stability and longevity of the mRNA.

Learn that the poly-A tail helps protect the mRNA from enzymatic degradation in the cytoplasm, thereby extending the mRNA's lifespan.

Consider the process of mRNA degradation. Without the poly-A tail, mRNA molecules are more susceptible to degradation by exonucleases.

Conclude that the primary function of the poly-A tail is to protect the mRNA from degradation, ensuring that it remains intact long enough to be translated into protein.