Gene Regulation Flashcards
What is an operon?
It is in bacteria and it is in a cluster of genes under transcriptional control of one promoter.
What are the three components of the Operon? What binds to each component?
The three components of the Operon are the promoter, operator, and the genes they control. A repressor protein binds to the operator and blocks the attachment of RNA polymerase to the promoter, which prevents transcription of a gene.
trp Operon – Which type of operon is the “trp” operon?
Tryptophan operon
lac Operon – Which type of operon is the “lac” operon?
Lactose operon
Define gene expression and gene regulation.
Gene regulation refers to the ability of cells to control their level of gene expression.
Describe changes in the Chromatin structure that can affect transcription.
As chromatin is condensed into the primary nucleosome structure, DNA becomes less accessible for transcription factors.
Explain how DNA methylation affects transcription.
The methylation of CpG islands may prevent an activator from binding to an enhancer element or they can convert chromatin from an open to a closed conformation.
