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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Ch. 19 - Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes
Freeman7th EditionBiological ScienceISBN: 9783584863285
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - Biology: The Study of Life11
- Ch. 2 - Water and Carbon: The Chemical Basis of Life10
- Ch.3 - Protein Structure and Function11
- Ch.4 - Nucleic Acids and the RNA World10
- Ch. 5 - An Introduction to Carbohydrates10
- Ch. 6 - Lipids, Membranes, and the First Cells10
- Ch. 7 - Inside the Cell10
- Ch. 8 - Energy and Enzymes: An Introduction to Metabolism10
- Ch. 9 - Cellular Respiration and Fermentation16
- Ch. 10 - Photosynthesis14
- Ch. 11 - Cell-Cell Interactions14
- Ch. 12 - The Cell Cycle12
- Ch. 13 - Meiosis13
- Ch. 14 - Mendel and the Gene32
- Ch. 15 - DNA and the Gene: Synthesis and Repair8
- Ch. 16 - How Genes Work35
- Ch. 17 - Transcription, RNA Processing, and Translation16
- Ch. 18 - Control of Gene Expression in Bacteria19
- Ch. 19 - Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes17
- Ch. 20 - The Molecular Revolution: Biotechnology, Genomics, and New Frontiers23
- Ch. 21 - Genes, Development, and Evolution13
- Ch. 22 - Evolution by Natural Selection17
- Ch. 23 - Evolutionary Processes13
- Ch. 24 - Speciation15
- Ch. 25 - Phylogenies and the History of Life13
- Ch. 26 - Bacteria and Archaea17
- Ch. 27 - Diversification of Eukaryotes19
- Ch. 28 - Green Algae and Land Plants18
- Ch. 29 - Fungi19
- Ch. 30 - An Introduction to Animals9
- Ch. 31 - Protostome Animals20
- Ch. 32 - Deuterostome Animals19
- Ch. 33 - Viruses16
- Ch. 34 - Plant Form and Function16
- Ch. 35 - Water and Sugar Transport in Plants16
- Ch. 36 - Plant Nutrition13
- Ch. 37 - Plant Sensory Systems, Signals, and Responses16
- Ch. 38 - Flowering Plant Reproduction and Development16
- Ch. 39 - Animal Form and Function16
- Ch. 40 - Water and Electrolyte Balance in Animals16
- Ch. 41 - Animal Nutrition16
- Ch. 42 - Gas Exchange and Circulation16
- Ch. 43 - Animal Nervous Systems16
- Ch. 44 - Animal Sensory Systems16
- Ch. 45 - Animal Movement11
- Ch. 46 - Chemical Signals in Animals16
- Ch. 47 - Animal Reproduction and Development18
- Ch. 48 - The Immune System in Animals16
- Ch. 49 - An Introduction to Ecology16
- Ch. 50 - Behavioral Ecology16
- Ch. 51 - Population Ecology16
- Ch. 52 - Community Ecology20
- Ch. 53 - Ecosystems and Global Ecology16
- Ch. 54 - Biodiversity and Conservation Ecology16
Chapter 19, Problem 5a
Compare and contrast the items in each pair:
(a) enhancers and the E. coli CAP binding site
Verified step by step guidance1
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.
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03:57
Specific Transcription Factors
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.
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06:16Ribosomal tRNA Binding Sites
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: (a) enhancers and the E. coli CAP binding site
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Textbook Question
Compare and contrast the items in each pair: (c) general transcription factors and sigma.
710
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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
633
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Textbook Question
Compare and contrast the items in each pair:
(c) general transcription factors and sigma.
653
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Textbook Question
Imagine discovering a loss-of-function mutation in a eukaryotic gene. You determine the gene's nucleotide sequence from the start site for transcription to the termination point of transcription and find no differences from the wild-type sequence. Explain where you think the mutation might be and how the mutation might be acting.
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