Transcription Factors and Gene Regulation

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What is the effect of transcription factors binding to enhancers?

They have no effect on transcription levels.

They reduce the transcription levels.

They initiate translation instead of transcription.

They increase transcription levels. (correct)

Which statement accurately describes silencers?

They are regulatory sequences found solely downstream of genes.

They are found within genes only.

They are known as repressors and decrease transcription levels. (correct)

They increase transcription by recruiting additional transcription factors.

Where can enhancers and silencers be located in relation to a gene?

Only within exons of the gene.

Only at the transcription site.

Upstream, downstream, or within introns of the gene. (correct)

Only upstream of the gene.

What is the primary role of transcription factors in the initiation of transcription?

They bind to DNA, forming a transcription initiation complex. Signup and view all the answers

How do enhancers and silencers affect transcription in response to cellular needs?

They modulate transcription based on the cell's requirement for gene products. Signup and view all the answers

What are housekeeping genes responsible for in most cells?

Expressing basic cellular functions Signup and view all the answers

What is one major way eukaryotes regulate gene expression during development?

Through transcription factor proteins Signup and view all the answers

Which process is NOT a post-transcriptional mechanism of gene regulation?

Transcription factor binding Signup and view all the answers

How does chromatin structure influence gene expression?

It can either enhance or restrict accessibility for transcription. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes lineage-specific genes?

They are only expressed in certain cell types. Signup and view all the answers

How does eukaryotic gene regulation primarily differ from prokaryotic gene regulation?

Eukaryotic gene regulation involves histones and is more complex. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes affects gene expression at the level of transcription?

Chromatin modification Signup and view all the answers

What process must mRNAs undergo before they can be transported from the nucleus in eukaryotic cells?

Splicing, capping, and polyadenylation Signup and view all the answers

What role does RNA interference play in gene regulation?

It causes the degradation of target mRNA. Signup and view all the answers

What does spatial regulation refer to in the context of gene expression in multicellular eukaryotes?

The specific locations where genes are expressed. Signup and view all the answers

What is one function of transcription factors in gene regulation?

They bind to regulatory sequences to promote or inhibit transcription. Signup and view all the answers

In multicellular eukaryotic organisms, why can somatic cells in different tissues have distinct functions?

They express different genes despite having the same DNA. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of eukaryotic gene regulation?

Transport of mRNAs from the cytoplasm. Signup and view all the answers

What is temporal regulation in gene expression?

The control of the timing of gene expression. Signup and view all the answers

Why is differential regulation of gene expression crucial in multicellular organisms?

It allows different cells to perform unique functions. Signup and view all the answers

How do multicellular eukaryotic organisms manage complex gene expression patterns?

Through spatial and temporal regulations. Signup and view all the answers

What role do transcription factors play in gene expression?

They modulate the connection between enhancers and promoters. Signup and view all the answers

How does enhancer availability affect gene expression in different cell types?

Specific transcription factors in certain cells influence enhancer effectiveness. Signup and view all the answers

What does spatial regulation of gene expression refer to?

The specific genes expressed in various tissues. Signup and view all the answers

Why might some transcription factors only be produced at specific times?

To coordinate with developmental stages or external signals. Signup and view all the answers

Which gene is expressed in the liver cell according to the content provided?

Albumin gene Signup and view all the answers

What defines the biochemical nature of enhancers?

Enhancers interact with specific transcription factors within all cells. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between enhancers and gene expression?

Enhancers must interact with specific transcription factors to activate transcription. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of enhancer region modularity?

It enables the selective association of enhancers with specific genes under certain conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of phosphorylation in proteins?

To induce conformational changes in proteins Signup and view all the answers

Which amino acids are primarily involved in the phosphorylation process?

Serine, threonine, and tyrosine Signup and view all the answers

What enzyme is responsible for removing phosphate groups from proteins?

Phosphatase Signup and view all the answers

How does ubiquitination affect proteins?

It targets proteins for degradation Signup and view all the answers

What complex recognizes ubiquitinated proteins for breakdown?

Proteasome Signup and view all the answers

What effect does phosphorylation NOT have on proteins?

It increases protein synthesis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about posttranslational modifications is incorrect?

They are only reversible changes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the common outcome of a protein being phosphorylated?

Altered conformation and potentially altered activity Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of RNA interference (RNAi)?

To regulate gene expression posttranscriptionally Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the production of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs)?

Virus infections or lab experimentation Signup and view all the answers

Which enzyme is responsible for recognizing and cleaving double-stranded RNA to form siRNAs?

Dicer Signup and view all the answers

How do micro RNAs (miRNAs) primarily function in the cell?

They regulate gene expression negatively Signup and view all the answers

What potential therapeutic application does RNA interference (RNAi) have?

Attacking diseases caused by specific gene overexpression Signup and view all the answers

What is one way that mRNA localization regulates gene expression?

By controlling timing and localization of translation Signup and view all the answers

What role does cytoplasmic polyadenylation play in mRNA regulation?

It regulates storage and translation timing of mRNAs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about RNA interference (RNAi) is incorrect?

RNAi directly promotes gene expression. Signup and view all the answers