Eukaryotes vs prokaryotes Flashcards
Do prokaryotes have coupled transcription and translation?
Yes. Translation begins as soon as a ribosome binding site is transcribed
Do eukaryotes have coupled transcription and translation?
No. Transcription occurs in the nucleus and translation in the cytoplasm. Processes are separated by a membrane
Do prokaryotes have RNA processing?
No
Do eukaryotes have RNA processing?
Yes, and is a critical point of regulation
How does transcription termination occur in prokaryotes?
Leader based regulation and intrinsic terminator hairpins
How does transcription termination occur in eukaryotes?
Other mechanisms. No hairpins are involved
How do prokaryotes organize genes with similar functions?
Operons that get transcribed into polycistronic mRNAs with multiple ORFs
How do eukaryotes organize genes with similar functions?
No operons. Coordinate the expression of related genes by using shared regulatory mechanisms
What is the default activity level of prokaryotic genes? Is activation or repression a more common regulatory mechanism? Why does it work?
On is the default state, and repression is the most common form of regulation. It works because prokaryotes don’t have a lot of genes
What is the default activity level of eukaryotic genes? Is activation or repression a more common regulatory mechanism? Why does it work?
Off is the default state, and activation is the most common form of regulation. Eukaryotes have a lot more genes, so its easier to turn a few on instead shutting them all off
Do prokaryotes have epigenetic regulation?
No. Prokaryotes don’t have histones
Do eukaryotes have epigenetic regulation?
A lot of it. Chromosome packaging is another point of regulation, and how loose or tight the histones are packaged allows increased or decreased access to promoters
How conserved is the mechanism of transcription between prokaryotes and eukaryotes? Where are the main differences?
The mechanism itself is highly conserved. How regulation occurs in the main difference
