Regulation of transcription and translation

Question 1

How does oestrogen affect the transcription of a gene?

Answer 1

The oestrogen binds to transcription factors and changes their shape. This helps the transcription factors bind to the DNA binding sites and protome the transcription of a gene.

Question 2

What are the two ways in which the transcription of a gene can be controlled?

Answer 2

1. Oestrogen
2. Epigenetics

Question 3

What is epigenetics?

Answer 3

Heritable changes in gene function without changing the DNA.

Question 4

How does methylation prevent the transcription of DNA?

Answer 4

The methyl groups bond to the cysteine groups on the DNA and this prevents transcription factors from bonding to the DNA binding sites.

Question 5

How does acetylation of DNA prevent the DNA from being transcribed?

Answer 5

The increased acylation of DNA causes the chromatin to become more condensed meaning transcription factors can’t bind to the DNA and transcribe it.

Question 6

What is siRNA?

Answer 6

double-stranded RNA is cut down into small sections, made single-stranded, and attached to an enzyme.

Question 7

How does siRNA stop the translation of genes?

Answer 7

It will bind to complementary sections on the mRNA. The enzyme will then cut the mRNA into small pieces meaning translation can’t occur.