Biology Matters: Gene structure and regulation

Learning Intentions

Gene structure and regulation  

the functional distinction between structural genes and regulatory genes  
the structure of genes in eukaryotic cells including stop and start instructions, promoter regions, exons and  introns  
use of the lac operon as a simple prokaryotic model that illustrates the switching off and on of genes by proteins (transcriptional factors) expressed by regulatory genes.

Engage

Amoeba sister explain Gene Expression and the Order of the Operon

Explore

PowerPoint on Transcription and Translation

Review DNA transcription and translation and gene expression

Explain

Structure of genes. Read Ch 3.2 and complete the first row of this template to guide you on important definitions.

What is difference between structural genes and functional genes

Structural genes- produce a functional gene product like an enzyme that carries out a particular process in the body. Other examples are protein channels, components of the cytoplasmic exoskeleton or tRNA...

Regulatory genes - control gene expression at the transcription stage. They code for proteins that bind to the promoter region of a gene or to the RNA polymerase to induce or repress he expression of specific genes.

Compare Gene regulation in eukaryotes and Gene regulation in prokaryotes page 152 of text

Example of gene regulation
Lac Operon (This is new to the study design and it is expected that you know how this as an example of gene regulation)
It looks at how genes are turned on when required and turned off when not required.
Have a relook at the Amoeba sister explain Gene Expression and the Order of the Operon. They explain it simply.
If you want more information watch the following;