Ch. 5.4- Regulating protein synthesis

Question 1

Define operons

Answer 1

A collection of genes controlled by a shared regulatory element. – These are the sports team that help regulate the transcription of RNA.

Question 2

What are the four parts of operons?

Answer 2

1) A promoter
2) two or more genes that work together toward a shared task
3) a repressor that blocks transcription
4) operator- the part of the operon that there repressor binds to in order to block transcription.

Question 3

Define inducible operons

Answer 3

These are off by default, unless certain conditions are met that turn it on and allow transcription.

Question 4

Define repressible operons

Answer 4

These actively transcribe unless conditions are met that turn them off.

Question 5

Define epigenome

Answer 5

A collection of all the chemical changes to the genome.

Question 6

Define DNA methylation

Answer 6

When methyl groups attach to cytosine in the DNA, inactivating parts of it.

Question 7

Define quorum sensing

Answer 7

Collective sensing and responding to changes within a bacterial community.

Question 8

Define post-transcriptional regulation

Answer 8

When cells regulate how readily ribosomes will associate with mRNA to read it.

Question 9

Define riboswitches

Answer 9

Switches built into the mRNA that help regulate protein synthesis on the pre and post transcription levels.