Gene Expression Flashcards
Define genome and gene.
Genome is the complete set of genetic material present in an organism.
Genes are the basic unit of heredity passed from a parent to a child made up of DNA sequences.
What are genes made up of?
Genes are made up of coding and non coding DNA. The coding DNA are exons and non coding DNA are made up of proteins, centromeres, telomeres and introns.
Explain the process of protein synthesis.
There are two major processes during protein synthesis, transcription and translation. During transcription RNA polymerase binds to the promotor on the DNA and unwinds and unzips the DNA molecule by breaking hydrogen bonds between the nitrogenous base pairs. The RNA polymerase produces a strand of mRNA that copies from the DNA template strand, replacing T with U due to the unstable nature of T. Transcription ends at the termination site where RNA polymerase detaches and mRNA is released and DNA zips up again. In translation mRNA moves through the cytoplasm to combine with a ribosome. transfer RNA uses complimentary anitcodons to bind to the codons of the mRNA and collect and deliver the associated amino acid to build the polypeptide chain that will be the protein.
What is the purpose of gene expression?
The purpose of gene expression is to synthesise a functional gene product in a process that can be regulated and is used by all known life
What are the factors that regulate the phenotypic expression of genes?
-Transcription and translation
-Production of other genes (environmental exposure)
-through the production of other genes
What regulates cell differentiation for tissue formation and morphology?
Differential gene expression controlled by transcription factors
What is are examples of a transcription factor gene that regulates morphology and cell differentiation?
-HOX Gene (produces proteins that act as transcription factors which control what genes are turned on and off and organises arrangement of tissues during development)
-SRY Gene (Provides instructions for making the sex determining Y protein)
