Gene Control

• What does the nucleus of every human cell contain?

  The same genes
• Why are not all genes expressed in every cell?

  Because gene expression is regulated
• What ensures the correct genes are expressed at the right time?

  Regulatory mechanisms within cells
• What are the mechanisms that control gene expression called?

  Regulatory mechanisms
• When do regulatory mechanisms control gene expression?

  At different points in time
• What are the three main types of regulatory mechanisms?

  1. Regulation at the transcriptional level
  2. Regulation at the post-transcriptional level
  3. Regulation at the post-translational level
• What occurs during transcriptional regulation?

  Regulatory mechanisms occur during transcription
• What happens during post-transcriptional regulation?

  Regulatory mechanisms occur after transcription
• What is involved in post-translational regulation?

  Regulatory mechanisms occur after translation
• What do regulatory mechanisms control?

  Which genes are expressed
• What is a structural gene?

  A gene coding for a functional protein
• What do regulatory genes code for?

  Proteins or various forms of RNA
• How do regulatory genes differ from structural genes?

  Regulatory genes control expression of structural genes
• What is the function of Factor VIII?

  Involved in blood clotting
• Why are regulatory genes important?

  They control the expression of structural genes
• What are the roles of structural and regulatory genes?

  • Structural genes: code for functional proteins
  • Regulatory genes: control expression of structural genes