Unit Assessment, Part 2: Gene Expression

Front

What allows genetically modified bacteria to produce human proteins like insulin?

Back

Bacteria can read and express human genes because the genetic code is shared among all living organisms.

Front

How do cells become specialized during the development of a multicellular organism?

Back

Cells undergo differentiation, where they activate specific genes to become specialized types.

Front

What is recombinant DNA technology?

Back

A method used to produce drugs like insulin by inserting human genes into bacteria, allowing them to express and produce the desired proteins.

Front

What is the function of the lac operon in E. coli?

Back

It is activated by the presence of lactose, which removes the repressor and allows transcription of enzymes needed for lactose metabolism.

Front

Why does a tiger look different as an adult compared to its single fertilized egg stage?

Back

The fertilized egg undergoes many changes and develops specialized cells and structures as it grows.

Front

What is gene expression?

Back

The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product, usually proteins.

Front

What is differentiation in biology?

Back

The process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type.

Front

What is the universal genetic code?

Back

The set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material is translated into proteins, shared by almost all organisms.

Front

What role do repressors play in gene regulation?

Back

Repressors are proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences to inhibit the transcription of genes.

Front

What is the significance of the insulin gene in genetic engineering?

Back

The insulin gene is often used in genetic engineering to produce insulin in bacteria for diabetes treatment.