3.4.3 Environmental Influences

• Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product
• Gene regulation helps cells adapt to different conditions and fulfill specific functions.
• Gene regulation controls when and where gene products are made.
• What are the stages of gene expression?

  Transcription and translation
• Match the feature with the correct process:

  Gene Expression ↔️ Process of making functional gene products

  Gene Regulation ↔️ Controlling when and where gene products are made
• Environmental influence on gene expression affects the amount of protein produced.
• An example of gene expression is the increased production of enzymes during digestion.
• Environmental influence on gene regulation determines whether a gene is expressed at all.
• An example of gene regulation is the switching on/off of genes in response to temperature changes.
• What are key environmental factors that influence gene expression?

  Temperature, light, nutrients, hormones, toxins
• Match the environmental factor with its effect on gene expression:

  Temperature ↔️ Regulates protein production

  Light ↔️ Controls metabolic pathways

  Nutrients ↔️ Affects enzyme production
• Arrange the following steps in the mechanism by which temperature affects gene expression:

  1️⃣ Temperature changes

  2️⃣ Alters transcription factor binding

  3️⃣ Increased heat shock protein production
• Light controls metabolic pathways in plants and animals by activating light-sensitive receptors.
• Nutrients influence gene expression by mediating signal transduction pathways.
• Hormones stimulate or inhibit transcription by binding to hormone receptors.
• How do toxins affect gene expression?

  Induce protective proteins
• Light is essential for photosynthesis in plants.
• Increased cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver are an example of toxin-induced gene expression.
• Environmental factors enable organisms to adapt by triggering or suppressing gene activity.
• What happens to transcription factor binding when temperature changes?

  Altered binding
• The lactose operon in bacteria is an example of nutrient-mediated gene expression.
• Cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver detoxify harmful substances.
• Arrange the following steps in the mechanism by which temperature affects gene expression:

  1️⃣ Temperature changes

  2️⃣ Alters transcription factor binding

  3️⃣ Increased heat shock protein production
• The lactose operon in bacteria is an example of nutrient-mediated gene expression.
• What hormone regulates glucose uptake?

  Insulin
• High temperatures increase the production of heat shock proteins.
• Why is light essential for photosynthesis in plants?

  Activates metabolic pathways
• Match the environmental factor with its effect on gene expression:

  Temperature ↔️ Regulates protein production

  Light ↔️ Controls metabolic pathways

  Nutrients ↔️ Affects enzyme production
• Temperature affects gene expression by influencing transcription factors.
• At higher temperatures, heat shock proteins are induced.
• Light controls metabolic pathways in plants and animals.
• Light is crucial for photosynthesis in plants.
• What are two processes regulated by light in animals?

  Circadian rhythms and vitamin D synthesis
• Light-sensitive receptors are activated to control metabolic pathways.
• Chemicals can either promote or inhibit the synthesis of functional gene products.
• Insulin regulates glucose uptake by binding to hormone receptors.
• Increased cytochrome P450 in the liver is an example of toxin-induced gene expression.
• The lactose operon in bacteria is influenced by nutrients.
• Match the feature with the correct process:

  Gene Expression ↔️ Process of making functional gene products

  Gene Regulation ↔️ Controlling when and where gene products are made
• Environmental influence on gene expression affects the amount of protein produced.