Final answer:
Alternative splicing allows pre-mRNA molecules to be cut and spliced in different ways, resulting in the production of different mRNA transcripts and protein products. It is a common mechanism of gene regulation in eukaryotes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alternative splicing allows some pre-mRNA molecules to be cut and spliced in different ways in different tissues. This process removes non-coding regions called introns and connects the remaining coding regions called exons, resulting in the production of different mRNA transcripts and ultimately different protein products. Alternative splicing is a common mechanism of gene regulation in eukaryotes, allowing for a larger variety of proteins and protein functions to be produced from a single gene.