Chapter 8 Flashcards
All of the cell types that make up an organism
share the same
genome
enables cells to selectively
control the synthesis of the RNAs and proteins in
their genome
gene expression
First step of gene expression:
Transcriptional control
Control the rate at which DNA is
transcribed into mRNA is what step in gene expression
1st, transcriptional control
This is the most efficient (but slowest) way to control gene expression is through
transcriptional control
Transcription is initiated at the
promoter
The __ is located upstream of (a.k.a. before) the starting
point for RNA synthesis
promoter
What must bind to the promoter to begin transcription
RNA polymerase
most genes include ___
that are used to switch the gene on or off
regulatory DNA sequences
Regulatory DNA sequences are bound by proteins called
transcription regulators
Each transcription regulator recognizes __, and regulates __
different DNA sequences, distinct genes
Most transcription regulators fit into the __ of the DNA
double helix and form ___ in the groove
major groove, contacts with the nucleotide pairs
Each individual contact with the transcription regulators and nucleotide pairs is __
weak
How many contacts form between the protein and the DNA so the interaction is strong and specific
10-20
Regulatory DNA sequences are found where? located where?
found in nearly all genes, located near to or in promoters
Transcription regulators bind to
DNA sequences
Transcription regulators can act as
activators or repressors by switching the gene on or off
transcription regulators regulate binding of
RNA polymerase to the promoter
use simple switches to control gene expression in response to their environment
bacteria
Genes that encode proteins that work together are often clustered together on the chromosome and transcribed from a
single promoter
gene clusters are called
operons
Operons are common in __ but rare in __
bacteria, eukaryotes
The tryptophan operon (a.k.a. Trp operon) __that synthesize tryptophan
contains five genes that
encode enzymes
The tryptophan repressor regulates
expression
of the Trp operon
The operon’s promoter sequence contains a regulatory sequence called the
operator
If tryptophan is ___ there’s no need to synthesize more
already available
The tryptophan repressor binds the operator only if….
it is also bound to tryptophan
What occurs in the absence of tryptophan…
Trp repressor is inactive and does not bind the
operator, so transcription can proceed
When the tryptophan repressor is bound to the operator….
it blocks access of
RNA polymerase to the promoter, preventing transcription of the operon
The Lac operon is controlled by two transcription
regulators:
activator and repressor
The Lac operon is turned on in the absence of __ and
the presence of __
glucose, lactose
The Lac operon encodes proteins necessary to import and digest
lactose