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a. Explain what is meant by gene regulation - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 3 - 2007 - Paper 1
Question 3
a. Explain what is meant by gene regulation. Gene regulation refers to the processes that control the expression of genes within an organism. Specifically, it invol... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:a. Explain what is meant by gene regulation - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 3 - 2007 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain what is meant by gene regulation.
Answer
Gene regulation refers to the processes that control the expression of genes within an organism. Specifically, it involves the mechanisms that determine when, where, and to what extent specific genes are activated or transcribed into RNA. This regulation is crucial as it ensures that the required proteins are produced only when needed, allowing the organism to conserve energy and resources. Additionally, gene regulation plays a fundamental role in cellular differentiation and response to environmental signals.
Step 2
Describe the immediate outcome when tryptophan activates pathway X.
Answer
When tryptophan activates pathway X, it acts as a repressor in the regulatory pathway. The immediate outcome of this activation is that the transcription of the genes involved in the production of tryptophan is inhibited. Essentially, tryptophan binds to a repressor protein, which then attaches to the operator region of the operon, preventing RNA polymerase from transcribing the genes needed for tryptophan synthesis. As a result, the overall production of tryptophan is reduced when there is sufficient tryptophan present.