Gene Regulation
Explanation
Gene regulation can be explained as the process by which different genes are chosen from a cell to make part of the final product, such as protein. Gene regulation alternatively involves the cell function to determine which genes from a given set of genomes are expressed or turned on. In humans, for example, each type of a cell within the body has different sets of genes that are activated. As such, despite the similarity in DNA, gene regulation takes various forms of patterns which may subsequently bring about different protein types. In other simple terms, gene regulation has been known as the process of controlling how genes are expressed. Hence, gene regulation is the control of gene expression.
From another viewpoint, gene regulation can be explained through protein formulation. Gene expression is the process of turning on a gene to produce proteins. The biological cell maintains full control of gene expression, including when and how the expression should be done. However, a mechanism that dictates which protein types are expressed within a gene depending on the requirements should be provided. This mechanism depends on several factors such as time, necessity and energy. The tool in question is, thus, gene regulation. Hence, gene regulation can alternatively be described as the directive to determine which protein types are expressed within a gene to facilitate functionality. In other words, gene regulation is the control of how many genes within a cell are turned on to formulate proteins.
Alternatively, gene regulation is pivotal in determining the specialization of the cell to perform different functions. All the cells in the human body have the same DNA, but the set of active genes within the cells tend to differ. Gene regulation, in this case, ensures there are different arrays of gene expression, thereby making each cell uniquely qualified to perform a given set of activities.
General Usage
As aforementioned, gene regulation facilitates the formation of different types of proteins. Depending on patterns of gene expression, various protein types may be formulated. Another importance of gene regulation can be found in the facilitation of the function of the liver. Notably, the liver has a critical role in removing toxic substances, primarily alcohol, from the body. The liver cells categorically choose to express specific genes to carry out this task. Thus, from a biological perspective, one of the main usages of gene regulation is to facilitate the production or synthesis of proteins. The synthesized proteins can further be used in other bodily functions which are critical to survival or existence of living organisms. Besides, since gene regulation controls how molecular cells carry out their tasks, this process indirectly contributes to the general wellbeing of human beings, including physical and mental health.
As an authoritative agent, gene regulation aids cells in controlling which genes should be expressed. In this regard, gene regulation acts as a mechanism to dictate the increase or decrease in the production of specific genes or products. The requirements of genes arise with a particular need and given the cell’s inability to detect the urgency or necessity, and gene regulation becomes a vital cog in this situation. Similarly, it is the nature or goal of a molecular cell to express the genes that are needed currently. The achievement of this objective is reliant on control ideally offered through gene regulation. Also, gene regulation ensures a steady state of cells by administering power over the expression of genes. As such, gene regulation becomes a pivotal controlling agent within the functionality of living molecular cells.
Biology
Several factors determine which genes are expressed within a cell. Considering that different cells have varying gene types and gene expression patterns, gene regulation relies on signals from both within and outside the cell. For instance, from inside the cell, protein from the mother cell may influence gene expression. In contrast, from outside the cell, chemical signals are usually transmitted from other organ cells, such as the brain to transfer specific information. After receiving the information either internally or externally, the cell relies on molecular pathways to translate the data into the desired gene expression.
Gene regulation also occurs differently in unicellular organisms and multicellular organisms. The prokaryotic organism’s also known as single-celled bodies lack cell nucleus making their DNA to float in the cytoplasm. Translation and transcription in these organisms co-occur to ensure that proteins are fully synthesized. Control of gene expression thus becomes impossible in a prokaryotic cell. Gene regulation in these cells, in this case, will entail regulation of DNA transcription. As such, gene regulation in prokaryotic cells occurs at the transcriptional level.
On the other hand, eukaryotic cells, DNA is found within the nucleus of the cell where transcription occurs to formulate RNA. The RNA is then transferred to the cytoplasm for ribosomes to transform them into proteins. It is also critical to note that transcription and translation occur at different sites within the cell with the former occurring in the nucleus while the latter occurring in the cytoplasm. Unlike in prokaryotes, therefore, gene regulation can occur at any of the two levels, either transcription level or translation level. Therefore, control of gene expression is different among eukaryotes and prokaryotes. The differences in gene regulation among these two sets of organisms are explained by the different levels or sites where gene expression for the synthesis of proteins occurs.