Gene Regulation (3.3) Flashcards
Describe gene regulation
Process that controls gene expression, turning genes on or off
Describe gene expression
Process that leads to the transformation of the information stored in a gene into a functional gene product
State whether or not gene regulation is tightly controlled in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. True/False.
True. Gene regulation is tightly controlled in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Compare and contrast gene regulation in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells
Gene expression is more complex in eukaryotes and therefore occurs in a greater number of stages than in prokaryotes
Describe gene regulation in eukaryotes
Gene expression - transcription, RNA processing and translation
- highly regulated (all stages)
Describe gene regulation in prokaryotes
Gene expression - transcription and translation
- regulated during (transcription stage)
Describe constitutive genes
Always switched on and are transcribed continually
State two types of gene expression
- induced
- repressed
Describe regulatory genes
Genes that code for transcription factors
Describe transcription factors
Proteins that control gene expression at the transcription stage
Describe structural genes
Genes that code for proteins and RNA that are not involved in gene regulation
Describe the lac Operon
Contains genes which code for three proteins involved in the metabolism of lactose in E Coli.
Describe the operon in prokaryotes
Unit of DNA under the regulation of a single promoter that codes for several proteins
What can the lac operon be classified as?
Inducible operon
Describe an inducible operon
Can be switched on/off
State what the lac operon codes for
Three structural genes that code for three enzymes
What do the enzymes produced by the lac operon break down?
Lactose -> glucose and galactose