Gene Regulation

Front

What are operons?

Back

Operons are clusters of genes under the control of a single promoter, found primarily in prokaryotes, that function together to regulate gene expression.

Front

In which type of organisms are operons primarily found?

Back

Operons are primarily found in prokaryotes.

Front

What is a corepressor in the context of gene regulation?

Back

A corepressor is a molecule that binds to a repressor protein, activating it and allowing it to bind to the operator, thus inhibiting transcription.

Front

What happens in the trp operon when tryptophan is present?

Back

When tryptophan is present, it binds to the repressor, activating it, which then binds to the operator to inhibit transcription.

Front

What is histone acetylation and its role in gene expression?

Back

Histone acetylation is the addition of acetyl groups to histone proteins, which reduces the condensation of DNA, allowing for increased gene expression.

Front

What is transcriptional control in gene regulation?

Back

Transcriptional control refers to the regulation of gene expression at the transcription stage, influencing the construction of mRNA.

Front

What is the role of a repressor in gene regulation?

Back

A repressor is a protein that binds to the operator region of an operon, preventing transcription of the associated genes.

Front

What is the difference between an inducer and a corepressor?

Back

An inducer activates gene expression by inactivating a repressor, while a corepressor activates a repressor, inhibiting gene expression.

Front

What is the function of the operator in an operon?

Back

The operator is a segment of DNA that a repressor binds to, blocking RNA polymerase from transcribing the genes in the operon.

Front

What is the significance of DNA methylation in gene regulation?

Back

DNA methylation is the addition of methyl groups to DNA, typically leading to gene silencing and reduced expression.