Chapter 19- Gene Expression Flashcards
What is a gene mutation?
Change in DNA’s base sequence
When can gene mutations happen?
Can happen spontaneously during DNA replication
What can increase the rate of mutations?
Mutagenic agents
What are the three types of gene mutations?
- DELETION
- SUBSTITUTION
- INSERTION
What is deletion?
Occurs when a nucleotide is removed from a DNA sequence
What does deletion cause?
- causes a frame shift which changes the sequence of triplets.
What is substitution?
Occurs when a base is swapped for another base
What can substitution cause?
- only affects a single triplet in DNA sequence
- can result in a different amino acid being coded for and therefore changes primary structure.
- Or amino acid coded for stays the same so no difference to primary structure.
What is insertion?
Occurs when one or more nucleotides are added to DNA sequence
What can insertion cause?
- Either results in a FRAMESHIFT
- or an addition of an amino acid
What can mutations that change the primary structure of a protein cause (in terms of different levels of proteins)?
- Can alter bonds within its tertiary structure.
Name one possible negative and one possible positive of a mutation:
NEGATIVE: can result in a non functioning protein- could be harmful for organism
POSITIVE: Can result in a new protein which is beneficial for organism.
What does every cell in the body contain?
-ALL genes
Why are genes not active at all times?
- they are only activated when needed
What activates genes?
Hormones can activate genes when they need to work.
What is an active gene?
A gene that has been TRANSCRIBED and TRANSLATED, resulting in a polypeptide.
Define gene expression
When a gene has been transcribed and translated into a protein.
Give an example of gene expression products:
- The tertiary structure of protein
- enzyme
- polypeptide chain
State an example of a gene that will always be expressed
Enzymes needed for respiration
- respiration never stops
What is the difference between gene expression and protein synthesis?
- gene expression refers to the ENTIRE process of TRANSCRIPTION and TRANSLATION.
- Whereas, protein synthesis just refers to the part of the TRANSLATION process (where amino acids are assembled into polypeptide, forming a protein)
What are the 2 types of genes involved in transcriptional control?
Structural gene and Regulatory gene
Define a structural gene:
- A gene that codes for a protein that has a function in the cell
Define a regulatory gene:
A gene that codes for proteins that CONTROL structural genes.
How many structural genes does a regulatory gene normally control?
Many structural genes
What is a PROMOTER?
- A DNA sequence
-that sits between the regulatory gene and first structural gene
-binding site for RNA polymerase.
What does the promoter do?
- enables transcription of the structural genes
- does this as it is the binding site of RNA Polymerase (enzyme) to carry out transcription
Do promoters exist is both prokaryotes and eukaryotes or one or the other?
BOTH
- however the way RNA polymerase interacts with promoters is different in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
In prokaryotes, how does RNA polymerase bind to the promoter?
- RNA polymerase binds straight away to the promoter and transcribes the structural genes.
How do prokaryotes control gene expression at the transcriptional level?
OPERATORS
- a DNA sequence
- sits between the promoter and the first structural gene
What is a transcription factor?
A protein coded by a regulatory gene that controls structural genes