Cellular Control Flashcards
What is gene expression?
The process by which certain genes are activated or deactivated to produce specific proteins, leading to different cell structures and functions
What is the role of transcription factors?
Proteins that activate or deactivate genes; activators help RNA polymerase bind, while repressors block RNA polymerase
Define operon.
A section of DNA containing a cluster of genes controlled by a single promoter
What are the components of an operon?
- Structural genes
- Control elements
- Regulatory gene
What is the function of the lac operon in E. coli?
It produces enzymes to digest lactose only when glucose is absent
When is the lac repressor produced?
When lactose is absent
What happens when lactose is present in E. coli?
Lactose binds to the lac repressor, changing its shape, allowing RNA polymerase to transcribe structural genes
What is splicing?
The removal of introns from mRNA before translation, occurring only in eukaryotes
What is the role of cAMP in protein activation?
cAMP activates proteins by changing their 3D structure
What do Hox genes control?
The general organization of an organism’s body, including the arrangement of body parts
True or False: Hox genes are highly conserved throughout evolution.
True
What are the two processes that contribute to the development of the body plan?
- Mitosis
- Apoptosis
Define apoptosis.
The process of controlled cell death where cells self-destruct without causing harm
What are the types of mutations?
- Substitution - one base replaced for another
- Insertion - one or more bases are added
- Deletion - one or more bases are removed
- Inversion - a sequence of bases are reversed
What is a frameshift mutation?
A mutation caused by insertion or deletion that alters the reading frame of the genetic code
