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Learning Guide: Molecular Genetics
Gene Regulation
Bill Activity #42
To Think About: How does gene regulation result in differential gene expression, leading to cell
specialization? In what ways do a variety of intercellular and intracellular signal transmissions mediate
gene expression? How does viral replication result in genetic variation, and how can viral infection
introduce genetic variation into the hosts? How do interactions between external stimuli and regulated
gene expression result in specialization of cells, tissues, and organs?
1st Interact: Take notes on Mr. Andersen’s Gene Regulation Video
2nd Read about/Review Gene Regulation: Use your class note handouts, text and video notes
to answer the following questions in your BILL
Ch. 18 Gene Regulation: Pgs. 351-366 Campbell’s Biology 9th edition
 Overview
o Describe how gene regulation is like conducting an orchestra.
 Bacteria often respond to environmental change by regulating transcription
o Explain why bacteria express only the genes whose products are needed by the cell.
o List the three parts of an operon and explain the role of each one.
o Distinguish between inducible and repressible operons. Use the trp and lac operons as
examples.
o Explain what CAP is and how it works.
o Describe the relationship between glucose supply, cAMP, and CAP
 Eukaryotic gene expression is regulated at many stages
o Even though all cells of an organism have the same genes, there is differential gene
expression. Explain what this means.
o List and explain the common central point of gene expression for all organisms
o List and explain each of the following:
Differential gene expression, regulation of chromatin, histone modifications, DNA
methylation, epigenetic inheritance,
o Describe how regulation of transcription initiation occurs.
o Explain the organization of a typical eukaryotic gene.
o Describe several mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation.
 Noncoding RNAs play multiple roles in controlling gene expression.
o Compare and contrast miRNAs and siRNAs
o Describe the evolutionary significance of small ncRNAs
Supplementary Resources: Click the links below for more information to help you learn more about this
lesson.
 Hillis: Animated lac operon
 Hillis: Animated trp operon
 Hillis: Eukaryotic Gene Expression Control Points Activity
Learn More: For more information about DNA, RNA, their processes and their history, follow the links
below:
 Nobelprize.org: The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2006—Fire and Mello (RNAi)