Biology Concept 2 Study Guide Questions

Describe an example of how gene expression is regulated.

Eukaryotic gene expression is regulated during transcription and RNA processing, which take place in the nucleus, and during protein translation, which takes place in the cytoplasm. Further regulation may occur through post-translational modifications of proteins.

Predict a consequence for an error made during transcription or translation.

If a mistake occurred during a given situation in protein synthesis, for example, if the RNA polymerase doesn't copy the DNA into a complementary strand into mRNA during transcription, then the mRNA wouldn't exist and since the DNA is unable to leave the nucleus of the cell, the genetic code wouldn't reach the ribosomes where they could code into amino acids to then produce proteins.

Explain the difference between epigenetics and mutations.

It can change the DNA. A genetic mutation is a hardcopy change in one or more parts of that sequence. This could just make you, you. Or it could contribute to a genetic disease.

Explain the central dogma and why a two-step process is necessary in order to make proteins:

The central dogma of molecular biology describes the two-step process, transcription and translation, by which the information in genes flows into proteins: DNA → RNA → protein.It means that information passes from DNA to proteins via RNA, but proteins cannot pass the information back to DNA.

Describe the three roles of the three essential types of RNA in protein synthesis:

The three roles of RNA in protein synthesis. Messenger RNA (mRNA) is translated into protein by the joint action of transfer RNA (tRNA) and the ribosome, which is composed of numerous proteins and two major ribosomal RNA (rRNA) molecules.

Summarize, in detail, the steps of transcription and translation.

Transcription takes place in the nucleus. RNA then leaves the nucleus and goes to a ribosome in the cytoplasm, where translation occurs.