2E Gene Regulation

Question 1

gene regulation

Answer 1

the control of gene expression, typically achieved by switching transcription on or off

Question 2

structural gene

Answer 2

a segment of DNA that doesn’t code for regulatory proteins, but instead codes for proteins that play a role in the structure or function of a cell or organism

Question 3

regulatory gene

Answer 3

a segment of DNA responsible for producing proteins that control the expression of other genes

Question 4

operon

Answer 4

a cluster of linked genes that all share a common promoter and operator and are transcribed at the same time

Question 5

trp operon

Answer 5

a series of genes within certain species of bacteria that encode for the production of the amino acid tryptophan

Question 6

trp operon repression

Answer 6

mechanism for gene regulation within the trp operon whereby repressor proteins stop the initiation of transcription when the tryptophan levels are high

Question 7

conformational change

Answer 7

a change in the three-dimensional shape of macromolecules such as proteins

Question 8

trp operon attenuation

Answer 8

mechanism for gene regulation within the trp operon whereby the premature ceasing of translation stops transcription when tryptophan levels are high

Question 9

attenuator sequence

Answer 9

part of the leader region within the trp operon that allows for attenuation

Question 10

terminator hairpin

Answer 10

a loop formed in mRNA in the presence of tryptophan that ceases transcription of the trp operon

Question 11

antiterminator hairpin

Answer 11

a loop formed in mRNA when tryptophan is not present that ensures the transcription of the structural genes in the trp operon