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Ch. 18 - Regulation of Gene Expression
Campbell - Campbell Biology 11th Edition
Urry11th EditionCampbell BiologyISBN: 9789357423311Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksUrry 11th EditionCh. 18 - Regulation of Gene ExpressionProblem 3
Chapter 18, Problem 3

The functioning of enhancers is an example of
a. A eukaryotic equivalent of prokaryotic promoter functioning.
b. Transcriptional control of gene expression.
c. The stimulation of translation by initiation factors.
d. Post-translational control that activates certain proteins.

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1
Understand the role of enhancers in gene expression. Enhancers are DNA sequences that increase the transcription of associated genes.
Recognize that enhancers are involved in transcriptional control, which is the process of regulating the transcription of genes into mRNA.
Differentiate between transcriptional control and other levels of gene expression regulation, such as translational control and post-translational control.
Identify that enhancers do not directly stimulate translation or activate proteins post-translationally, but rather influence the transcription process.
Conclude that the functioning of enhancers is an example of transcriptional control of gene expression, aligning with option b.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Enhancers

Enhancers are DNA sequences that can significantly increase the transcription of genes. They function by binding transcription factors, which help recruit the transcription machinery to the promoter region of a gene, thus enhancing gene expression. Unlike promoters, enhancers can be located far from the gene they regulate and can work in either orientation.
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Specific Transcription Factors

Transcriptional Control

Transcriptional control refers to the regulation of gene expression at the level of transcription, where the synthesis of RNA from DNA is modulated. This control is crucial for determining which genes are expressed in a cell, influencing cell function and identity. Enhancers play a key role in transcriptional control by facilitating the binding of transcription factors to the promoter region.
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Specific Transcription Factors

Gene Expression

Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize functional gene products, typically proteins. This process involves transcription and translation, and is regulated at multiple levels, including transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and post-translational stages. Enhancers are involved in the transcriptional regulation of gene expression, affecting how much and when a gene is expressed.
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Introduction to Regulation of Gene Expression
Related Practice
Textbook Question

If a particular operon encodes enzymes for making an essential amino acid and is regulated like the trp operon, then

a. The amino acid inactivates the repressor.

b. The repressor is active in the absence of the amino acid.

c. The amino acid acts as a corepressor.

d. The amino acid turns on transcription of the operon.

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Textbook Question

Muscle cells differ from nerve cells mainly because they

a. Express different genes.

b. Contain different genes.

c. Use different genetic codes.

d. Have unique ribosomes.

Textbook Question

Cell differentiation always involves

a. Transcription of the myoD gene.

b. The movement of cells.

c. The production of tissue-specific proteins.

d. The selective loss of certain genes from the genome.

Textbook Question

Which of the following is an example of post-transcriptional control of gene expression?

a. The addition of methyl groups to cytosine bases of DNA

b. The binding of transcription factors to a promoter

c. The removal of introns and alternative splicing of exons

d. Gene amplification contributing to cancer

Textbook Question

What would occur if the repressor of an inducible operon were mutated so it could not bind the operator?

a. Irreversible binding of the repressor to the promoter

b. Reduced transcription of the operon's genes

c. Buildup of a substrate for the pathway controlled by the operon

d. Continuous transcription of the operon's genes