Question

If you were to observe the activity of methylated DNA, you would expect it to

A) be replicating.
B) be unwinding in preparation for protein synthesis.
C) have turned off or slowed down the process of transcription.
D) be very active in translation.
E) induce protein synthesis by not allowing repressors to bind to it.

Answer 1

Methylated DNA is usually a sign that the gene expression is being silenced as this epigenetic modification leads to a chromatin structure that prevents transcription factors from initiating transcription.

Step-by-step explanation:

If one were to observe the activity of methylated DNA, one would expect it to have turned off or slowed down the process of transcription. Methylation of DNA is a common epigenetic signaling tool that cells use to lock genes in the "off" position. In particular, the methylation of cytosine bases in DNA can lead to the recruitment of proteins that bind to methylated DNA and change the chromatin structure to a more closed conformation. This prevents transcription factors from accessing the DNA and thereby reduces the expression of genes.

For instance, the addition of methyl groups to the DNA base cytosine is typically associated with transcriptional repression. DNA methylation can also recruit proteins that can further modify histones to a state that is not permissive for transcription. In summary, the presence of highly methylated DNA regions with deacetylated histones tends to indicate a tightly coiled chromatin structure that is transcriptionally inactive.

Answer 2

The correct answer is: C) have turned off or slowed down the process of transcription

There are many types of gene expression regulation in eukaryotes and DNA methylation is one of them. DNA methylation is an epigenetic tool that cells use to lock genes for the transcription (make them in the "off" position).

It is a process by which methyl groups are added to the DNA molecule and thus, activity of a DNA is changed without changing the sequence.

DNA methylation also has role in chromosome stability, embryonic development, genomic imprinting, X-chromosome inactivation..