Chapter 10 Flashcards
(20 cards)
Transcription factor
A protein that helps initiate or regulate the transcription of genes.
Repressor
A protein that binds to DNA to prevent gene transcription.
Silencer
A DNA sequence that represses the expression of a gene when bound by specific proteins.
Activator
A protein that increases gene expression by helping RNA polymerase bind to the promoter.
Enhancer
A DNA sequence that boosts the expression of a gene, often from a distance.
Promotor
A region of DNA where RNA polymerase binds to begin transcription.
Insulator
A DNA sequence that prevents the influence of enhancers or silencers on nearby genes.
microRNA
Small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by blocking translation of specific mRNAs.
RNA interference
A process where RNA molecules prevent the expression of specific genes by degrading mRNA.
Differentiation
The process by which cells become specialized to perform specific functions.
Homeotic gene
A gene that controls the development of body structures in specific locations.
Homeodomain
A protein domain that binds to DNA to regulate gene expression during development.
Aniridia
A genetic condition where an individual is born without an iris in the eye, often caused by mutations in the PAX6 gene.
Knockout experiment
technique where a gene is deliberately inactivated to study its function.
Barr body
An inactivated X chromosome in female mammals, ensuring dosage compensation.
Dosage compensation
The mechanism that equalizes gene expression from the sex chromosomes in males and females.
Operon
A group of genes controlled by a single promoter, often found in prokaryotes.
Circadian rhythm
The physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle, influenced by light and darkness.
Epigenetics
The study of changes in gene expression that do not involve changes to the DNA sequence itself.
Methylation
A chemical modification of DNA that can silence gene expression by adding a methyl group to the DNA.
