Chapter 11 – Gene Expression – Flashcards
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gene expression
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the activation or "turning on" of a gene that results in transcription and the production of mRNA
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genome
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the complete genetic material contained in an individual
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structural gene
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a gene that codes for a product, such as an enzyme, protein, or RNA, rather than serving as a regulator
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operator
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a short sequence of viral or bacterial DNA to which a repressor binds to prevent transcription (mRNA synthesis) of the adjacent gene in an operon
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operon
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a unit of gene regulation and transcription in bacterial DNA that consists of a promoter, an operator, and one or more structural genes
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lac operon
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a gene system whose operator gene and three structural genes control lactose metabolism in E. coli
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repressor protein
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a regulatory protein that binds to an operator and blocks transcription of the genes of an operon
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regulator gene
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a genetic unit that regulates or suppresses the activity of one or more structural genes
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inducer
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a substance that combines with and inactivates a repressor which allows the transcription of a gene
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euchromatin
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a region of DNA that is uncoiled and undergoing active transcription into RNA
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intron
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a segment of a structural gene that is transcribed but not translated
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exon
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in a sturctural gene, one of the segments that are ultimately transcribe and translated when the gene is expressed
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pre-mRNA
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precursor mRNA; the first strand of mRNA produced by gene transcription that contains both introns and exons
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enhancer
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a DNA sequence that recognizes certain transcription factors that can stimulate transcription of nearby genes
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cell differentiation
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the process by which a cell becomes specialized for a specific structure or function
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homeotic gene
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a gene that controls the development of a specific adult structure
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homeobox
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a DNA sequence within a homeotic gene that regulates development in animals
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proto-oncogene
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a gene that regulates normal cell division but that can become a cancer-causing oncogene as a result of mutation or recombination
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oncogene
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a gene that induces cancer, or uncontrolled cell proliferation
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cancer
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a tumor in which the cells begin dividing at an uncontrolled rate and become invasive
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tumor
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a growth that arises from normal tissue but that grows abnormally in rate and structure and lacks a function
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tumor-suppressor gene
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a gene that suppresses tumor formation but that, when mutated, causes a loss in cell function, which results in tumor formation
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metastasis
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the spread of cancer cells beyond the original site of growth
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carcinogen
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a cancer causing substance
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carcinoma
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a malignant tumor that grows in the skin or in the tissues that line organs
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sarcoma
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a malignant tumor that grows in bone or muscles tissue
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lymphoma
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a tumor in the lymphoid tissues
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leukemia
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a progressive, malignant disease of the blood-forming organs
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transcription factor
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a regulatory protein that bins to DNA and stimulates the transcription of certain genes
