Unit 4: Gene Expression, Regulation, and Mutations

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to gene expression, regulation, and mutations based on the provided lecture notes.

Gene

A section of DNA that codes for a specific protein.

Gene Expression

The process in which transcription and translation occur for a gene segment, resulting in the synthesis of a protein.

Regulation of Gene Expression

The control mechanisms that determine which genes are expressed at any given time.

Cell Differentiation

The process by which unspecialized cells become specialized into distinct cell types.

Stem Cells

Unspecialized cells that can become any type of cell when genes are turned on.

Epigenome

The overall chemical state of DNA and its associated proteins in a cell that influences gene expression.

Mutation

A change in the sequence of DNA that can affect gene function.

Point Mutation

A mutation that affects a single nucleotide in the DNA sequence, potentially changing the function of the protein.

Frameshift Mutation

A mutation causing shifts in the reading frame of the genetic code, usually due to insertion or deletion of nucleotides.

Silent Mutation

A point mutation that does not change the amino acid sequence of the protein.