Explain how regulation of gene expression can alter gene function.

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Biology

Carina Ayers

2 November, 00:39

Explain how regulation of gene expression can alter gene function.

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Lorelai Hahn · Answer 1

The genetic information present in all cells can be compared to a book of blueprints prepared for the construction of a large, multipurpose building.

-At different times, all of the blueprints will be needed, but only a small subset is consulted during the work on a particular floor or room.

-Similarly in the case of cells all the necessary genetic information is present but but only a subset of genes is expressed in any particular cell.

Regulation of gene expression alters the gene function in many ways.

For example in prokaryotes-

The lac operon is an inducible operon, in which the presence of a key metabolic substance which is lactose in this case, initiates transcription of the operon, allowing synthesis of the proteins encoded by the structural genes.

In case of repressor operon: Transcription of the structural genes is controlled by a repressor protein that is synthesized by a regulatory gene, which is also part of the operon. It binds to the operon and blocks the movement of Rna polymerase.