Cellular control Flashcards
What varies between genes and why
Structure and function as not all genes in a cell are expressed (selectively switched on or off).
Why do cells show a different gene expression
Different proteins are made that modify the cell and determine structure and processes
What level can gene expression be controlled
The transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational level
Transcription factors control gene expression at what level
Transcriptional level
How can gene expression be controlled
By altering the rate of transcription of genes
What are transcription factors
Proteins that bind to DNA and switch genes on or off by increasing or decreasing the rate of transcription
What are activators
Factors that increase the rate of transcription
What are repressors
Factors that decrease the rate of transcription
What does the shape of a transcription factor determine
Whether it can bind to DNA or not and can be altered by the binding of some molecules
In Eukaryotes where do transcription factors bind to specific DNA sites
Near the start of their target genes - the genes they control the expression of
In Prokaryotes where do transcription factors bind to specific DNA sites
Binding to operons
What is an operon
A section of DNA that contains a cluster of structural genes, that are transcribed together as well as control elements and sometimes a regulatory gene
What do structural genes code for
Useful proteins such as enzymes
What do regulatory genes code for
An activator or repressor
What do control elements include
A promoter and an operator
What is a promoter
A DNA sequence located before the structural genes that RNA polymerase binds to
What is an operator
A DNA sequence that transcription factors bind to
Process of the Lac operon in E.coli when lactose is not present
1) The regulatory gene (lacl) produces the lac repressor, which is a transcription factor that binds to the operator site when there is no lactose present.
2) This blocks transcription because RNA polymerase can’t bind to the promoter
Process of the Lac operon in E.coli when lactose is present
Lactose binds to the repressor, changing its shape so it can no longer bind to the operator site. RNA polymerase can now begin transcription of the structural genes
What is the lac operon and what is involved
1) E coli respires glucose or lactose if no glucose is available
2) The genes that produce the enzymes needed to respire lactose are found on an operon called the lac operon
3) The structural genes lacZ, lacY and lacA produce proteins (beta-galactosidase and lactose permease) to help digest lactose