Concept explainers
For each element in the list that follows, indicate what kind of molecule it is (DNA, RNA, protein, small molecule), whether it acts as a positive or negative regulator, what stage of gene expression it affects, and whether it acts in cis or in trans. (In its most general sense, the term cis describes elements that affect the function of the molecule of which it is a part, while trans describes elements on one molecule that affect the function of a different molecule.)
a. Lac repressor |
b. lac operator |
c. CRP |
d. CRP-binding site |
e. Trp repressor |
f. charged tRNATrp (in terms of its function at the Trp trp operon) |
g. the antiterminator at the trp operon |
h. a terminator in the expression platform of a riboswitch |
i. an sRNA that blocks mRNA translation |
a.
To determine:
The type of molecule (DNA, RNA, protein, small molecule), type of regulation (Positive or negative), the stage of gene expression affected, and the mode of action (cis or trans) of Lac repressor.
Introduction:
Lac repressor is involved in inhibiting the transcription of the lac operon. In unavailability of lactose, the lac repressor binds to the operator tightly and inhibits transcription.
Explanation of Solution
Lac repressor is a protein molecule, and it acts as a trans element. Lac repressor acts as a negative regulator of genes. The repressor protein that is synthesized by the gene i of lac operon binds to the operator to inhibit transcription. When lactose is present in high concentration in the cell, it binds to the repressor and makes it unfit for binding. In this case, the RNA polymerase transcribes the structural genes.
b.
To determine:
The type of molecule (DNA, RNA, protein, small molecule), type of regulation (Positive or negative), the stage of gene expression affected, and the mode of action (cis or trans) of lac operator.
Introduction:
The operator is basically a small region of DNA that is partially present within the promoter. It interacts with the regulatory protein and controls the transcription of the lac operon.
Explanation of Solution
The lac operator is a DNA molecule, and it acts as a cis element. It is considered to be a positive regulator. The gene O of the lac operon is the site of the operator, where the repressor protein tends to bind.
c.
To determine:
The type of molecule (DNA, RNA, protein, small molecule), type of regulation (Positive or negative), the stage of gene expression affected, and the mode of action (cis or trans) of CRP.
Introduction:
CRP or cAMP Receptor Protein consists of cAMP. It is involved in binding next to the promoter region and then helps the RNA polymerase to bind to the promoter. CRP protein plays a role in upregulating the transcription of the lac operon.
Explanation of Solution
CRP is a protein molecule, and it acts as a trans element. It is known as the positive regulator. As the bacteria utilize glucose more as compared to the lactose, the attachment of RNA polymerase to the promoter needs the presence of CAP (catabolite gene activator protein) or CRP (cAMP receptor protein) bound to the cyclic AMP. The presence of glucose lowers the concentration of cAMP, which, as a result, lowers the formation of CAP-cAMP. As a result RNA polymerase does not bind to DNA in the presence of glucose. As a result, after the addition of glucose, the transcription of the lac operon is decreased.
d.
To determine:
The type of molecule (DNA, RNA, protein, small molecule), type of regulation (Positive or negative), the stage of gene expression affected, and the mode of action (cis or trans) of CRP-binding site.
Introduction:
The CRP binding site is the site present on the lac operon, where the CRP protein binds. The CRP protein is involved in upregulating the process of transcription of lac genes
Explanation of Solution
The CRP binding site is a type of DNA molecule, and it acts as a cis element. It is known to act as a positive regulator. The CRP-binding site is the DNA region, where the CRP binds.
e.
To determine:
The type of molecule (DNA, RNA, protein, small molecule), type of regulation (Positive or negative), the stage of gene expression affected, and the mode of action (cis or trans) of Trp repressor.
Introduction:
The trp repressor is a type of transcription factor that is involved in controlling the metabolism of tryptophan. When trp repressor is bound to tryptophan, the complex attaches to the operator and blocks the RNA polymerase from binding to the promoter and preventing the transcription of the operon.
Explanation of Solution
The trp repressor is a protein molecule, and it acts as a cis element. This protein is known to act as a negative regulator. The trp repressor is produced by trpR gene, which is present in upstream to the promoter. In the presence of tryptophan, the trpR protein binds to the operator and prevents the RNA polymerase from binding and transcribing the operon. As a result, tryptophan is not synthesized from the precursor. In the absence of tryptophan, the repressor gets unable to bind to the operator, and the transcription is continued.
f.
To determine:
The type of molecule (DNA, RNA, protein, small molecule), type of regulation (Positive or negative), the stage of gene expression affected, and the mode of action (cis or trans) of charged tRNATrp.
Introduction:
When tryptophan is present in limiting concentration, the tRNATrp will also be present in insufficient amount. As a result, the translation will pause at the tryptophan codon.
Explanation of Solution
The charged tRNATrp is a type of protein molecule, and it acts as a trans element. It is considered as a positive regulator. The ribosomes bind to mRNA and recruit the tRNA molecules bound with tRNA specific amino acids. This tRNA contains anticodons that are complementary to the codon sequence of mRNA.
g.
To determine:
The type of molecule (DNA, RNA, protein, small molecule), type of regulation (Positive or negative), the stage of gene expression affected, and the mode of action (cis or trans) of the antiterminator at the trp operon.
Introduction:
When the charged tryptophanyl tRNA is present in a deficient concentration, the ribosome that is involved in translating the leader peptide sequence stalls and the antiterminator structure forms.
Explanation of Solution
The antiterminator at the trp operon is a RNA molecule, and it acts as a trans element. It acts as a positive regulator. The Trp operon is known to be regulated by a process known as attenuation. The occurrence of this process is only possible in the presence of a leader sequence coding for a leader peptide. The peptide consists of two trp codons lying adjacent to each other. The attenuator RNA, which is also known as antiterminator structure, consists of four short sequences, which form three distinct secondary structures. This formation of stem-loop structure functions as an antiterminator.
h.
To determine:
The type of molecule (DNA, RNA, protein, small molecule), type of regulation (Positive or negative), the stage of gene expression affected, and the mode of action (cis or trans) of a terminator in the expression platform of a riboswitch.
Introduction:
The riboswitches are known as the regulatory segment present in the mRNA molecule that has the tendency to bind to a small molecule. This binding results in the change in the production of proteins that are coded by mRNA.
Explanation of Solution
A riboswitch is a protein molecule, and it acts as a cis-element. Riboswitches act as a negative regulator. These riboswitches are located in the untranslated regions of mRNA. The metabolites that bind to riboswitches send a feedback signal to regulate the transcription of RNA or the initiation of translation.
h.
To determine:
The type of molecule (DNA, RNA, protein, small molecule), type of regulation (Positive or negative), the stage of gene expression affected, and the mode of action (cis or trans) of an sRNA that blocks mRNA translation.
Introduction:
The sRNA are the small bacterial RNA that are 50-500 nucleotides long non-coding RNA molecules.
Explanation of Solution
sRNA is an RNA molecule, which acts as either cis and trans molecule depending on the target mRNA. It is considered as a negative regulator. The sRNA are known as the posttranscriptional regulators because they regulate gene expression on base pairing to target mRNAs.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 15 Solutions
Genetics: From Genes to Genomes, 5th edition
- Find out about the organisations and the movements aimed at the conservation of our natural resources. Eg Chipko movement and Greenpeace. Make a project report on such an organisation.arrow_forwardWhat are biofertilizers and mention the significancearrow_forwardPCBs and River Otters: Otters in Washington State’s Green-Duwamish River have high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in their livers. PCBs can bind to the estrogen receptors in animals and disrupt the endocrine system of these otters. The PCBs seem to increase the estrogen to androgen ratio, skewing the ratio toward too much estrogen. How would increased estrogen affect the river otter population? Based on your reading of the materials in this unit, what factors can affect fertility in humans? Explain how each of the factors affecting human fertility that you described can disrupt the human endocrine system to affect reproduction.arrow_forward
- Other than oil and alcohol, are there other liquids you could compare to water (that are liquid at room temperature)? How is water unique compared to these other liquids? What follow-up experiment would you like to do, and how would you relate it to your life?arrow_forwardSelection of Traits What adaptations do scavengers have for locating and feeding on prey? What adaptations do predators have for capturing and consuming prey?arrow_forwardCompetition Between Species What natural processes limit populations from growing too large? What are some resources organisms can compete over in their natural habitat?arrow_forward
- Species Interactions Explain how predators, prey and scavengers interact. Explain whether predators and scavengers are necessary or beneficial for an ecosystem.arrow_forwardmagine that you are conducting research on fruit type and seed dispersal. You submitted a paper to a peer-reviewed journal that addresses the factors that impact fruit type and seed dispersal mechanisms in plants of Central America. The editor of the journal communicates that your paper may be published if you make ‘minor revisions’ to the document. Describe two characteristics that you would expect in seeds that are dispersed by the wind. Contrast this with what you would expect for seeds that are gathered, buried or eaten by animals, and explain why they are different. (Editor’s note: Providing this information in your discussion will help readers to consider the significance of the research).arrow_forwardWhat is the difference between Uniporters, Symporters and Antiporters? Which of these are examples of active transport?arrow_forward
- Biology 2eBiologyISBN:9781947172517Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann ClarkPublisher:OpenStaxHuman Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co...BiologyISBN:9781305251052Author:Michael CummingsPublisher:Cengage LearningBiology (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781337392938Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. BergPublisher:Cengage Learning
- Concepts of BiologyBiologyISBN:9781938168116Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James WisePublisher:OpenStax CollegeHuman Biology (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781305112100Author:Cecie Starr, Beverly McMillanPublisher:Cengage Learning