Gene Expression Flashcards
Transposons
DNA sequence which moves to a different section of the DNA (copy/paste)
Retrotransposon
RNA sequence which gets copy and pasted
Cytoplasmic Determinants
Signals in the cell that will tell the cell what it will become
Homeotic Genes
Genes that control pattern formation in the embryo
Bicoid Protein
A key regulator of early embryonic development in fruit flies
Histones
Any basic group of proteins found in chromatin (positive charge)
Nucleosomes
Structure of a chromatin, DNA wrapped around 8 histone proteins
Why can DNA and Histone bond tightly?
They have opposite electric charges
Heterochromatin
Highly condensed, inactive chromatic regions
Euchromatin
Less condensed, active chromatin regions
Histone Acetylation
Unwinds DNA, makes gene expression more accessible
DNA Methylation
Winds up DNA, silences gene expression
MicroRNA
Small interfering RNA that stops mRNA from being used, or it cleaves the mRNA into bases. This controls whether the protein gets made or not
Operon
Functional unit of DNA in prokaryotes, consists of promoter, operator, and Genes of Interest
Promoter
Region where RNA polymerase binds, upstream of the gene
Operator
On/off switch for the operon
Repressor Protein
Attaches to the operator to turn the operon off
Regulatory Gene
Upstream from the gene, codes for the repressor protein
Inductive operon
Normally “off” - repressor is attached to the operon
Repressible Operon
Normally “on”- repressor isn’t attached to the operator
Trp Operon
An example of a repressible Operon. Is normally on but too much tryptophan will turn it off
Lac Operon
Example of inducible operon. When lactose is present it turns on in order to metabolize it
Corepressor Molecule
Binds to the repressor protein to active it. This turns off a repressible operon
Inducer Molecule
Binds to the repressor protein to DEactivate it. This turns on an inducible operon
