Human Gen (Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic)

Part 1

Prokaryotes

 small, simple, no nucleus, no membrane-bound organelles

Eukaryotes

larger, complex, have a nucleus and organelles

Structures only in eukaryotes + functions:

• Nucleus: stores DNA (DNA’s house)

• Mitochondria: produce ATP (energy)

• ER (rough/smooth): protein & lipid synthesis

• Golgi apparatus: modifies and packages proteins

• Lysosomes/peroxisomes: digestion & detox

DNA Organization:

• Prokaryotes: circular DNA in nucleoid region

• Eukaryotes: linear chromosomes wrapped around histones forming chromatin

Why might compartmentalization influence gene regulation?

Predict how gene expression might differ between a bacterium and a human cell based on their cellular organization.

In eukaryotes, transcription occurs in the nucleus and translation occurs in the cytoplasm, allowing multiple layers of regulation. In prokaryotes, transcription and translation occur simultaneously, allowing less regulation.

Bacterium (Prokaryote) Human Cell (Eukaryote)

Location of DNA: Free in Cytoplasm Enclosed in the Nucleus

(happens all at once in the cytoplasm) (Transcription in N, Translation in C)

Transcription & Translation: Coupled Separation

mRNA Processing: Very Little A lot

Regulation Levels: Mainly at Transcription level

(Human Cell (Eukaryote) Multi-level: Epigenetic, Transcriptional, Post-Transcriptional, Translational.