Gene Expression and Gene Regulation

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to gene expression and regulation.

Gene Expression

The process by which a gene is used to create a functional product, typically a protein.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing mRNA from a DNA template, facilitated by the enzyme RNA polymerase.

Translation

The process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA in ribosomes.

Gene Regulation

The mechanisms that control the expression of genes, determining when and how much of a gene product is made.

Transcription Factors

Proteins that regulate gene expression by binding to specific DNA sequences and influencing RNA polymerase activity.

Operon

A cluster of genes under the control of a single promoter, found in prokaryotic cells, that can regulate gene expression.

Lac Operon

A specific example of an operon that regulates the metabolism of lactose in bacteria.

Epigenetic Marks

Chemical modifications to DNA that can affect gene expression without altering the DNA sequence itself.

Introns

Non-coding sequences of RNA that are removed during RNA processing before translation.

Exons

Coding sequences of RNA that remain after introns are removed and are expressed in the final mRNA.