Gene Expression and Regulation

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What is gene expression?

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

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What is the role of mRNA in protein synthesis?

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mRNA (messenger RNA) carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where it serves as a template for protein synthesis.

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What is translation in the context of gene expression?

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Translation is the process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins using the information encoded in mRNA.

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What is transcription?

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Transcription is the process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA, specifically mRNA, which then carries the genetic information to the ribosome.

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What are introns and exons?

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Introns are non-coding sequences in a gene that are removed during RNA processing, while exons are coding sequences that are joined together to form the final mRNA.

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What is the function of transcription factors?

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Transcription factors are proteins that help regulate the transcription of specific genes by binding to nearby DNA.

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What is the significance of acetylation in gene regulation?

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Acetylation of histones leads to a looser DNA structure, promoting gene expression by making the DNA more accessible for transcription.

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What is the impact of methylation on gene expression?

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Methylation of DNA typically represses gene expression by making the DNA more tightly coiled and less accessible for transcription.

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What is microRNA (miRNA) and its role in gene regulation?

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miRNA is a small non-coding RNA molecule that binds to mRNA, leading to its degradation or blocking its translation, thus regulating gene expression.

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What is post-transcriptional control?

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Post-transcriptional control refers to the regulation of gene expression at the RNA level, including processes like splicing, editing, and degradation of mRNA.