Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

16. Regulation of Expression

Eukaryotic Transcriptional Control

General Biology

16. Regulation of Expression

Eukaryotic Transcriptional Control

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0:41 minutes

Problem 5a

Textbook Question

Compare and contrast the items in each pair:
(a) enhancers and the E. coli CAP binding site

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the role of enhancers in eukaryotic cells: Enhancers are DNA sequences that can increase the transcription of genes. They are located at varying distances from the gene they regulate and can be upstream, downstream, or even within introns. Enhancers function by binding transcription factors, which then interact with the promoter region to enhance gene expression.

Explore the function of the CAP binding site in E. coli: The CAP (catabolite activator protein) binding site is a specific DNA sequence in prokaryotic cells, particularly in E. coli, that is involved in the regulation of gene expression. CAP binds to this site when glucose levels are low, facilitating the binding of RNA polymerase to the promoter and increasing transcription of genes involved in the metabolism of alternative sugars.

Compare the mechanisms of action: Both enhancers and the CAP binding site function by interacting with proteins that influence transcription. Enhancers bind various transcription factors, while the CAP binding site specifically binds the CAP protein. Both mechanisms ultimately lead to increased transcription, but they operate in different cellular contexts (eukaryotic vs. prokaryotic).

Contrast the location and flexibility: Enhancers can be located far from the gene they regulate and can act in a flexible manner, influencing multiple genes. In contrast, the CAP binding site is typically located close to the promoter of the gene it regulates and has a more direct and specific role in gene expression.

Discuss the evolutionary context: Enhancers are a feature of eukaryotic gene regulation, allowing complex control over gene expression necessary for multicellular organisms. The CAP binding site is part of the simpler regulatory mechanisms found in prokaryotes, reflecting the different needs and evolutionary pressures faced by single-celled organisms like E. coli.

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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 then interact with the promoter region of a gene, even if the enhancer is located far from the gene itself. Enhancers are crucial for regulating gene expression in eukaryotic cells.

E. coli CAP Binding Site

The CAP binding site in E. coli is a specific DNA sequence where the catabolite activator protein (CAP) binds. This binding is essential for the regulation of gene expression in response to glucose levels. When glucose is scarce, CAP binds to the site, facilitating RNA polymerase attachment to the promoter and enhancing transcription of genes involved in lactose metabolism.

Gene Regulation Mechanisms

Gene regulation involves various mechanisms that control the expression of genes, ensuring that proteins are produced at the right time and in appropriate amounts. Enhancers and CAP binding sites are examples of regulatory elements that modulate transcription. While enhancers are common in eukaryotes, CAP binding sites are specific to prokaryotic organisms like E. coli, highlighting differences in regulatory strategies across domains of life.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Compare and contrast the items in each pair: (c) general transcription factors and sigma.

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Textbook Question

Compare and contrast the items in each pair: (a) enhancers and the E. coli CAP binding site

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Textbook Question

Compare and contrast the items in each pair: (b) promoter-proximal elements and the operator of the lac operon

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Textbook Question

Compare and contrast the items in each pair:

596

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Textbook Question

Compare and contrast the items in each pair:

(b) promoter-proximal elements and the operator of the lac operon

561

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Textbook Question

In the follow-up work to the experiment shown in Figure 19.6, the researchers used a technique that allowed them to see if two DNA sequences are in close physical proximity (association). They applied this method to examine how often an enhancer and the core promoter of the Hnf4a regulatory gene were near each other. A logical prediction is that compared with rats born to mothers fed a healthy diet, the Hnf4a gene in rats born to mothers fed a protein-poor diet would

a. Show no difference in how often the promoter and enhancer associated

b. Never show any promoter–enhancer association

c. Show a lower frequency of promoter–enhancer association

d. Show a higher frequency of promoter–enhancer association

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Textbook Question

The Hawaiian bobtail squid (Euprymna scolopes) is able to glow from luminescent Vibrio fischeri bacteria held in its light organs. As it swims at night near the ocean surface, it adjusts the amount of light visible to predators below to match the light from the stars and moon. Predators have difficulty seeing the illuminated squid against the night sky. The bacteria glow in response to a molecule that regulates expression of genes involved in light-producing chemical reactions. The regulator controls production of the genes' mRNA. Therefore, the light-producing genes are undera. transcriptional control.b. translational control.c. post-translational control.d. negative control.

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Textbook Question

The Hawaiian bobtail squid (Euprymna scolopes) is able to glow from luminescent Vibrio fischeri bacteria held in its light organs. As it swims at night near the ocean surface, it adjusts the amount of light visible to predators below to match the light from the stars and moon. Predators have difficulty seeing the illuminated squid against the night sky.

The bacteria glow in response to a molecule that regulates expression of genes involved in light-producing chemical reactions. The regulator controls production of the genes' mRNA. Therefore, the light-producing genes are under

a. Transcriptional control.

b. Translational control.

c. Post-translational control.

d. Negative control.

434

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