The process by which information in a gene is used to make a functional product.
Expression is controlled at many levels: chromatin accessibility, transcription, RNA processing, mRNA stability, translation and protein modification. Housekeeping genes are always on, while others are switched on in specific tissues or conditions.
Every cell contains the same DNA but has a different set of expressed genes.
The process by which information in a gene is used to make a functional product.
Gene Expression is one of the 52 topics in Molecular Biology. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include microRNA, Translational Control, Translation.
Haemoglobin genes are active in red blood cell precursors but silent in neurons.
Gene Expression is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Molecular Biology that pair well with it include Central Dogma, DNA Replication, Base Pairing.
The closest topics to Gene Expression are microRNA, Translational Control, Translation, Transcription. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Gene Expression. To practise the whole of Molecular Biology, use the Molecular Biology quiz.
Gene Expression: The process by which information in a gene is used to make a functional product. microRNA: About 22-nucleotide RNAs that fine-tune gene expression by blocking translation or promoting mRNA decay. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with microRNA and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Molecular Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
About 22-nucleotide RNAs that fine-tune gene expression by blocking translation or promoting mRNA decay.
🧫 Molecular BiologyRegulation of protein synthesis rate through initiation factors, upstream open reading frames and mRNA stability.
🧫 Molecular BiologyRibosomes read the mRNA codons to assemble amino acids into a protein.
🧫 Molecular BiologyThe process of making an RNA copy of a gene using DNA as a template.
🧫 Molecular Biology