Most biologists argue that the regulation of gene expression is considerably mor

Question

Most biologists argue that the regulation of gene expression is considerably more complex in eukaryotes than in bacteria. List the four factors that in your view make the largest contribution to this perception.

Select the four correct statements.

1. The coordinated regulation of sets of genes devoted to a single function (e.g. metabolic pathways) allows minimal wasting of a cell's resources on unneeded proteins and metabolites. 2. Multicellularity and cell-type specificity is frequent in eukaryotes and requires organisms to regulate large suites of genes in a cell-type-specific manner. 3. The chromatin structure of eukaryotic genomes allows the differential packaging of genes to be used in regulation. 4. Posttranslational processing of proteins allows cells to regulate the function of proteins after their synthesis by covalent modification, transport, or both. 5. The extensive use of attenuation allows eukaryotes to fine-tune transcriptional activity of a cell according to environmental signals. 6. Eukaryotic cells possess a nucleus, which separates transcription from translation and allows RNA processing and transport to be used in regulation.

Explanation / Answer

Gene regulation is a complex event in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The question is why the phenomenon is comparatively more complex in eukaryotes. The following are the reasons for this complexity:

* Eukaryotic cells possess a nucleus, which separates transcription from translation and allows RNA processing and transport to be used in regulation.

* Posttranslational processing of proteins allows cells to regulate the function of proteins after their synthesis by covalent modification, transport, or both.

* Multicellularity and cell-type specificity is frequent in eukaryotes and requires organisms to regulate large suites of genes in a cell-type-specific manner

* The chromatin structure of eukaryotic genomes allows the differential packaging of genes to be used in regulation.

*

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