Lecture 15 - How genes make proteins and cells Flashcards
What is the central dogma of molecular biology?
The central dogma describes the flow of genetic information within a biological system. DNA -> RNA -> Protein. It involves two main processes; transcription and translation
Key elements of the gene?
Promoter region: Region that controls gene expression and binds transcription factors and RNA polymerase
Transcribed region: the part of the gene that is copied into mRNA, consisting exons (coding regions) and introns (non-coding regions)
Difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic genes?
- Eukaryotic genes : contain both exons and introns; introns are spliced out of mRNAA before translation
- Prokaryotic genes: Do not contain introns; transcription and translation occur simultaneously
What is a transcription factor and how do they control gene expression
Transcription factors are proteins that regulate gene expression by building to specific DNA sequences in the promoter region. They can act as activators (turning genes on) or repressors (turning genes off)
What is Transcriptional control and why is it important?
Transcriptional control is the regulation of gene expression at transcriptional stage. It is crucial for proper cellular function, allowing cells to produce the right proteins at the right time and in the right amounts.
How does transcriptional control affect different cell types?
Different cell types express different sets of genes due to variations in transcription factors and regulatory mechanisms. This allows cells to perform specialised function despite having the same genetic code.
Activators and repressors in the context of transcription factors?
- Activators: Proteins that enhance transcription by facilitating RNA polymerase binding to the promoter
- Repressors: Proteins that inhibit transcription by blocking RNA polymerase binding or interfering with its function
