[48] Gene Expression and Regulation

Question 1

What is gene expression in molecular biology?

Answer 1

The process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product.

Question 2

Which main processes are involved in gene expression?

Answer 2

• Transcription
• Translation

Question 3

What is the role of mRNA in gene expression?

Answer 3

It acts as an intermediary molecule that carries genetic information from the DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

Question 4

What is the role of transcription in gene expression?

Answer 4

It is the first step in gene expression where DNA is converted into RNA.

Question 5

What is the role of translation in gene expression?

Answer 5

It is the process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA.

Question 6

What does RNA polymerase do in gene expression?

Answer 6

It is an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template during transcription.

Question 7

What is gene regulation in molecular biology?

Answer 7

The process by which a cell determines which genes it will express and when.

Question 8

What is the role of transcription factors in gene regulation?

Answer 8

They bind to DNA and help control the rate of transcription of genetic information from DNA to mRNA.

Question 9

What are the two main categories of gene regulation?

Answer 9

• Transcriptional regulation
• Post-transcriptional regulation

Question 10

What is transcriptional regulation?

Answer 10

The control of gene expression at the level of transcription.

Question 11

What is post-transcriptional regulation?

Answer 11

The control of gene expression after transcription has occurred.

Question 12

How does epigenetic modification impact gene regulation?

Answer 12

By altering the structure of chromatin, it can control the accessibility of the DNA to transcription machinery and influence gene expression.

Question 13

What is the significance of gene expression and regulation in biology?

Answer 13

It allows cells to respond to changes in their environment and perform different functions despite having the same DNA.

Question 14

What is a promoter in the context of gene regulation?

Answer 14

A DNA sequence that provides a binding site for RNA polymerase and determines where transcription starts.

Question 15

What is an enhancer in the context of gene regulation?

Answer 15

A DNA sequence that can increase the rate of transcription by providing additional binding sites for transcription factors.

Question 16

What is RNA splicing?

Answer 16

The process of removing introns and connecting exons in a pre-mRNA molecule.

Question 17

How does RNA splicing contribute to gene regulation?

Answer 17

It allows for different proteins to be produced from a single gene through alternative splicing, contributing to biological diversity.

Question 18

What are microRNAs (miRNAs)?

Answer 18

Small non-coding RNA molecules that function in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression.

Question 19

What is the function of microRNAs in gene regulation?

Answer 19

They bind to mRNA molecules and inhibit their translation, controlling gene expression.

Question 20

What is an operon?

Answer 20

A functioning unit of genomic DNA that contains a group of genes regulated by a single promoter.

Question 21

What is the role of an operon in gene regulation?

Answer 21

It allows for coordinated expression of genes that are functionally related.