Thalassemia Is a Recessive Blood Disease Caused by Reduced Synthesis

Multiple Choice

Thalassemia is a recessive blood disease caused by reduced synthesis of one of the globin genes.While SCD is a mutation in the structure of hemoglobin,thalassemias can also be caused by mutations in the regulatory elements,causing too little globin to be produced and resulting in anemia.You've designed a DNA probe that you want to use to screen a family for a rare mutation in the β-globin gene that causes thalassemia.First you will use the probe for northern blotting.What information will the northern blot tell you?

A) whether the mRNA for β-globin is being translated into functional proteins in a given cell population
B) whether the amount of the β-globin gene being transcribed (mRNA levels) is within normal range
C) the size of the mRNA being transcribed
D) the presence of a particular mutation by restriction fragment analysis
E) whether the amount of the β-globin gene transcript is within normal range,and the size of the mRNA gene product