Question

A gene that contains information important to initiating transcription is a __________ gene.

Answer 1

A gene important for initiating transcription is called a promoter gene. The promoter contains specific nucleotide sequences that facilitate the binding of RNA polymerase and other transcription factors, controlling the frequency of gene transcription.

Step-by-step explanation:

A gene that contains information important to initiating transcription is known as a promoter gene. The promoter is a specific sequence of nucleotides located at the beginning of the gene and is essential for transcription initiation. During the first stage of transcription, known as initiation, a region at the beginning of the gene called a promoter triggers the start of transcription.

The promoter serves as a binding site for RNA polymerase and other transcription factors, positioning them near the transcription start site. Consequently, the promoter controls when and how often a gene is transcribed, making it a pivotal element in gene expression.

Each gene's promoter can vary significantly in length, allowing for various levels of control over gene expression. The specific sequence of a promoter is critical, influencing whether the corresponding gene is transcribed frequently, occasionally, or rarely. In prokaryotic promoters, known sequences such as the TATA box at -10 and a sequence at -35 help sigma factors and RNA polymerase to bind and commence transcription. Eukaryotic promoters are more complex but also contain a TATA box.

Answer 2

A gene important to initiating transcription is called a promoter gene. It signals the start of transcription and is crucial for gene regulation, with promoters playing a key role in determining the frequency of a gene's transcription.

Step-by-step explanation:

A gene that contains information important to initiating transcription is a promoter gene. Transcription is the process by which the information encoded within a gene is used to produce a functional product, typically a protein. The initiation of this process is a crucial step and begins with the identification of a particular sequence called the promoter.

The promoter is a specific sequence of nucleotides found at the beginning of a gene. This sequence signals the start of transcription and is the binding site for transcription factors and RNA polymerase. The interaction among these elements allows the DNA double helix to partially unwind, forming a transcription bubble where the mRNA synthesis begins.

Not all genes are expressed at all times; therefore, the promoter plays a key role in gene regulation, determining whether a gene is transcribed frequently, occasionally, or rarely. Furthermore, eukaryotic promoters are more complex than prokaryotic ones and have more regions for protein binding, adding layers of control to the transcription process.

The initiation stage of transcription is directly influenced by the action of the promoter region. It's this precise mechanism and interaction with various factors that determine whether a gene is 'turned on' and its information transcribed into mRNA, which then leads to protein synthesis.