Regulation of Transcription and Translation Flashcards
What are transcription factors?
A transcription factor is a protein that controls the transcription of genes by binding to a specific region of DNA.
Why are transcription factors needed?
They ensure that genes are being expressed in the correct cells, at the correct time and to the right level
Give 3 reasons why transcription is regulated.
To direct cell division, growth and death
To direct cell migration and organisation during embryonic development
Allow cells to respond to external signals
What is the 1st section of DNA involved in protein synthesis called?
Transcription unit
What does ‘upstream’ mean?
The DNA before the start of the coding region.
What 2 things bind to the promoter region in DNA?
RNA polymerase
Transcription factors
What direction is DNA transcribed in to produce mRNA?
5’ to 3’
What direction is DNA translated in to produce mRNA?
3’ to 5’
Explain the role of the promoter region in transcription.
RNA polymerase binds and 2 strands of the structural gene will unwind and unzip from the site of the polymerase binding.
Is the template or coding strand involved in transcription?
Template
What biomolecule are transcription factors made from?
Proteins
How do transcription factors enter the cell cytoplasm?
Through nuclear pores.
Where do transcription factors bind to on the gene?
Promoter region
What can transcription factors either cause or prevent?
How do they do this?
Transcription from taking place.
Transcription factors interact with RNA polymerase, either by assisting RNA polymerase binding to the gene (to stimulate expression of the gene) or by preventing it from binding (to inhibit gene expression)
What are steroid hormones?
Small hydrophobic lipid based hormones that can pass directly into the nucleus through nuclear pores.