Which statement describes pseudogenes?

Which statement describes pseudogenes?

• A. Are nonfunctional RNA genes
• B. Are remnants of genes that no longer produce functional proteins
• C. Are regulatory RNA genes
• D. Are fragmented exons

Answer: (B)

Pseudogenes are nonfunctional copies of genes that resemble real genes but can’t produce a usable product anymore. They linger in the genome as remnants of genes that once worked, often created when a gene is duplicated or when an mRNA is reverse-transcribed and inserted back into the DNA. Over time, disabling mutations accumulate—such as changes in coding sequences, loss of promoters, or intron loss in processed copies—so they no longer make functional proteins or RNAs. This is why they’re described as remnants of genes that no longer produce functional products. They aren’t typically functional regulatory RNA genes, and they aren’t simply defined by being fragmented exons. Some pseudogenes may resemble the structure of genes, but mutations prevent any meaningful function.

Pseudogenes are nonfunctional copies of genes that resemble real genes but can’t produce a usable product anymore. They linger in the genome as remnants of genes that once worked, often created when a gene is duplicated or when an mRNA is reverse-transcribed and inserted back into the DNA. Over time, disabling mutations accumulate—such as changes in coding sequences, loss of promoters, or intron loss in processed copies—so they no longer make functional proteins or RNAs. This is why they’re described as remnants of genes that no longer produce functional products.

They aren’t typically functional regulatory RNA genes, and they aren’t simply defined by being fragmented exons. Some pseudogenes may resemble the structure of genes, but mutations prevent any meaningful function.