Question

Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes regulate gene expression, turning genes on and off in response to various cues. Which of the following mechanisms is common to both types of cells? Choose all that apply.

		alternative splicing of mRNA
		opening or condensing chromatin
		transcriptional regulation
		post-translational regulation

Answer 1

Opening or condensing chromatin

Transcriptional regulation

Post-translational regulation

These three stages of gene expression are common in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Opening and condensing of chromatin can lead to loose packing and tight packing of chromatin respectively. This can increase or decrease gene expression accordingly.

Transcriptional regulation occurs at the level of transcription to degrade any mutated RNA that is formed.

Post-translational regulation take place for the degradation of any protein which is of no use or is mutated.

Alternative splicing of messenger RNA takes place only in eukaryotes. This is because eukaryotes contain non coding sequences called introns in their messenger RNA which are needed to be separated before translation begin. These are not present in prokaryotes and hence no alternative splicing takes place in them.

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