Biology Ch.18

on/off switch segment of DNA

the entire stretch of DNA that has the operator, promoter, and genes they control

a protein that prevents gene transcription by binding to the operator and blocking RNA polymerase

a molecule that cooperates with a repressor protein to switch an operon off

on; shuts off transcription

off; turns on transcription

inactivates the repressor

an activator of transcription

the expression of different genes by cells with the same genome

acetyl groups are attached to an amino acid in a histone tail
opens up the chromatin structure, promoting the initiation of transcription

can condense chromatin and reduce transcription

the addition of methyl groups to certain bases in DNA

the inheritance of traits transmitted by mechanisms not directly involving the nucleotide sequence

segments of noncoding DNA that serve as binding sites for transcription factors that help regulate transcription

distal control elements
associated with only 1 gene

a protein that binds to an enhancer and stimulates transcription of a gene
have 2 domains(binds DNA and activates transcription)

different mRNA molecules are produced from the same primary transcript

small, single-stranded RNA molecules that can bind complementary sequences in mRNA

the blocking of gene expression by small interfering RNAs

the process by which cells become specialized in structure and function

maternal substances in the egg that influence early development

process where signal molecules from embryonic cells cause changes in nearby target cells

irreversibly commits a cell to becoming a particular cell type

the development of a spatial organization of tissues and organs

the molecular cues that control pattern formation

control pattern formation in the late embryo, larva, and adult stages

encode cytoplasmic determinants that initially establish the axes of the body

establish an embryo's axes and other features of its form

mutations in genes that code for proteins that stimulate normal cell growth and division

mutation in a gene for a chromatin-modifying enzyme can lead to loosening of the chromatin and inappropriate expression of a proto-oncogene

gene moved to a new locus, under new controls

multiple copies of the gene

inhibit cell division

prevents suppression of the cell cycle