Gene Expression and Regulation

Front

What is gene expression?

Back

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

Front

What is mRNA processing?

Back

The modification of pre-mRNA to form mature mRNA, which includes the addition of a 5' cap, poly A tail, and splicing out introns.

Front

What is the role of a poly A tail in mRNA?

Back

It protects mRNA from degradation and assists in the export of mRNA from the nucleus.

Front

What are introns and exons?

Back

Introns are non-coding regions of a gene that are removed during mRNA processing, while exons are coding regions that are spliced together to form the final mRNA.

Front

What is the lac operon?

Back

A set of genes in bacteria that are involved in the metabolism of lactose, regulated by the presence or absence of lactose.

Front

What happens to the lac operon in the absence of lactose?

Back

The repressor protein binds to the operator, blocking transcription of the genes.

Front

What is the function of the repressor in the lac operon?

Back

To inhibit transcription of the operon when lactose is not present.

Front

What is the significance of the 5' cap in mRNA?

Back

It helps in ribosome binding during translation and protects mRNA from degradation.

Front

How does temperature affect gene expression in Himalayan rabbits?

Back

The genes for black fur are activated by lower temperatures, leading to color changes in the fur.

Front

What is transcription?

Back

The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA.