Gene expression? (OMG help please! T__T) (1 Viewer)

[Kanane]

I was taught that gene expression was the process by which information from genes was used to synthesise proteins and was comprised of two steps: Transcription and translation.

But after further reading, some textbooks say gene expression is the process by which cells become specialised i.e. the combination of genes 'switched on' (expressed) or 'switched off' determines the cell's differentiation?!

So are they related? O_O I feel like this is very simple, but I'm being really stupid. THANKS!

 

[hayabusaboston]

I was taught that gene expression was the process by which information from genes was used to synthesise proteins and was comprised of two steps: Transcription and translation.

But after further reading, some textbooks say gene expression is the process by which cells become specialised i.e. the combination of genes 'switched on' (expressed) or 'switched off' determines the cell's differentiation?!

So are they related? O_O I feel like this is very simple, but I'm being really stupid. THANKS!

You are correct, don't worry. They are related, the second part is just specifying differences in individual genes, which affect protein synthesis and hence cell differentiation.

 

[SpreadTheWord]

I was taught that gene expression was the process by which information from genes was used to synthesise proteins and was comprised of two steps: Transcription and translation.

But after further reading, some textbooks say gene expression is the process by which cells become specialised i.e. the combination of genes 'switched on' (expressed) or 'switched off' determines the cell's differentiation?!

So are they related? O_O I feel like this is very simple, but I'm being really stupid. THANKS!

Nah your not stupid dude, this topic can extremely confusing. I have to admit, i find these parts the trickiest out of the whole syllabus, because they all overlap. Also, without any real experience within this field can make it hard to visualise. but, Yes i believe the textbooks are correct in that they become switched off and etc. Howeverwhat you were taught i don't believe is correct, i think that is for the production of polypeptides.

Although i may be wrong, so anyone just correct me.

 

[hayabusaboston]

Nah your not stupid dude, this topic can extremely confusing. I have to admit, i find these parts the trickiest out of the whole syllabus, because they all overlap. Also, without any real experience within this field can make it hard to visualise. but, Yes i believe the textbooks are correct in that they become switched off and etc. Howeverwhat you were taught i don't believe is correct, i think that is for the production of polypeptides.

Although i may be wrong, so anyone just correct me.

Wait, are you saying gene expression itself is for production of polypeptides? There's way more than just that haha

 

[SpreadTheWord]

Wait, are you saying gene expression itself is for production of polypeptides? There's way more than just that haha

Nah mate, as i said im not that great on this particular topic so forgive me if im wrong. The reason i made that statement regarding the production of polypeptides is because he/she mentioned transcription/ translation, so i assumed that it related to that process.

OP: Go with what hayabusa said.

 

[hayabusaboston]

Nah mate, as i said im not that great on this particular topic so forgive me if im wrong. The reason i made that statement regarding the production of polypeptides is because he/she mentioned transcription/ translation, so i assumed that it related to that process.

OP: Go with what hayabusa said.

Haha no man you're right. I'm thinking of Neurological peptides. My mistake.

 

[SpreadTheWord]

Haha no man you're right. I'm thinking of Neurological peptides. My mistake.

Wow, you've lost me now haha.

 

[hayabusaboston]

Wow, you've lost me now haha.

Ah, that's neuroscience hehe, peptides are a group of neurotransmitters in the brain.

 

[SpreadTheWord]

Ah, that's neuroscience hehe, peptides are a group of neurotransmitters in the brain.

By looking at your sig, how do you even know that stuff despite not doing Biology? haha

 

[hayabusaboston]

I'm in a neuroscience competition at the moment, so we have to do 1st year med school neuroanatomy. Its great fun.

 

[Enzym3]

Gene expression is the process by which the genetic code of the allele is used to synthesize a functional gene product (for hsc that would be a polypeptide or protein)

Patterns of gene expression is what determines cell specialisation.
What genes are turned on and at what times?

Cells have two types of genes: 'housekeeping genes' that are always turned on in all cells and cover basic functions and genes specific to the function of that particular cell (e.g. cells in the eye have different genes turned on that cells in the heart).

Patterns of gene expression are determined by 'promoter' 'enhancer' and 'silencer' DNA sequences and the proteins that attach to them. This means that even though all cells in the body share the same DNA they can be creating vastly different proteins and thus acting in completely different ways