Gene Expression

Gene Expression

The relationship between gene expression (protein synthesis) and the environment.

Poll

Can the environment of an organism determine which genes will be expressed?

• Yes

• No

• I'm not sure

What does gene expression mean?

Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional protein.

Essentially, gene expression IS protein synthesis

(Transcription & Translation)

Multiple Choice

TRUE or FALSE: Genes code for traits, such as hair, eye color, and shape of nose.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

True or False:

All genes are expressed all the time.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Can gene expression be turned 'off?'

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

If a gene is expressed, what happens?

• nothing happens

• the protein for that gene is synthesized

• all proteins for the DNA strand are created

Multiple Choice

TRUE or FALSE:

Gene expression and protein synthesis are the same thing?

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Which environmental factor has an effect on the sex of sea turtle offspring?

• Nutrition

• Habitat Resources

• Temperature

Multiple Choice

The expression of the sex gene for sea turtles is effected by the temperature. If the temperature is always warm, what sex will the sea turtle most likely be?

• Male

• Female

Gene expression in bird beaks

All birds have the genes to develop beaks.

The food source in the environment will determine which genes in the beak will be expressed.

Gene expression in rabbit fut

Himalayan rabbits have more dark areas when the temperature is colder.

When it is warm, they are completely white!

Interesting Fact- Octopuses can EDIT their OWN genes!

Cephalopods like squids, cuttlefish, and octopuses are incredibly intelligent and wily creatures—so much so that they can rewrite the genetic information in their neurons.

Instead of one gene coding for one protein, which is normally the case, a process called recoding lets one octopus gene produce multiple proteins.

Scientists discovered that this process helps some Antarctic species “keep their nerves firing in frigid waters,” The Washington Post notes.

Multiple Choice

TRUE or FALSE:

Some genes, like the one that makes the lactose enzyme - that breaks down milk, are only turned on when needed.

• True

• False

Lactase enzyme

If there is no lactose (milk), then the lactase enzyme is not made, it is repressed (not made).

The lactase enzyme is only made when lactose is present - it will remove the inhibitor or 'stop' so the enzyme will be expressed.

Multiple Select

When will a gene not be expressed?

• When the gene has been suppressed

• When the gene has been repressed

• When the gene has been inhibited

• When the gene has its suppressor/repressor/inhibitor removed

Open Ended

What have you learned about gene expression?