- #1
Mattius_
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What chemical reactions take place when genes "tell" cells what to do? I'll have more specific questions later but this will be a decent start.
How do genes regulate cell abilities?
- Thread starter Mattius_
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Discussion Overview
The discussion centers on how genes regulate cellular functions and abilities, exploring the biochemical processes involved in gene expression, including transcription and translation, as well as the role of proteins in cellular activities. Participants also touch upon the variability of gene expression in different cell types and the influence of external factors on cellular capabilities.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- One participant asks about the chemical reactions involved when genes instruct cells on their functions.
- Another explains that genes, as sequences of DNA, determine the sequence of amino acids in proteins, which in turn dictate the proteins' shape and function.
- A participant likens genes to a book of words, emphasizing the processes of transcription and translation that convert DNA into functional proteins.
- There is a question about whether proteins act as direct executors of cellular commands or if they serve as messengers.
- One participant notes the differential transcription and translation in various cell types, using lens cells and blood cells as examples to illustrate how specific proteins are produced based on cellular context.
- A viewpoint is presented that suggests it is not genes themselves that dictate cellular abilities, but rather the transcription of specific genes, influenced by external factors, that limits or defines a cell's capabilities.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a range of perspectives on the role of genes and proteins in cellular function, with no consensus reached on the extent to which genes dictate cellular abilities versus the influence of environmental factors.
Contextual Notes
Some claims about the processes of transcription and translation are made without detailed exploration of the underlying mechanisms or assumptions. The discussion includes varying interpretations of the relationship between genes and cellular functions.
- #2
Gonzolo
A gene is a sequence of DNA, a protein is a sequence of amino acids. The sequence of the first determines the sequence of the second.
The sequence of amino acids determines the protein's shape and function. Some are colors in your iris, some are hormones, some are enzymes which favor certain reactions.
The sequence of amino acids determines the protein's shape and function. Some are colors in your iris, some are hormones, some are enzymes which favor certain reactions.
- #3
Monique
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Genes are like a book of words, each word has a different meaning. But each word need to be processed in order to become active.
Genes are read by certain cellular machineries, this process is called transcription: DNA is read and an mRNA copy (this is a messenger molecule) is made. Then after transcription, translation takes place. This is the process where the mRNA is translated into a protein.
Proteins have very specific functions in a cell, they can be enzymes, transcription factors, receptors, etc.
Genes are read by certain cellular machineries, this process is called transcription: DNA is read and an mRNA copy (this is a messenger molecule) is made. Then after transcription, translation takes place. This is the process where the mRNA is translated into a protein.
Proteins have very specific functions in a cell, they can be enzymes, transcription factors, receptors, etc.
- #4
Mattius_
- 8
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and these proteins are the actual muscle that make commands into actual transformations/adaptations? Or are they another form of a messenger?
- #5
DB
- 501
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Mattius_ said:
It stops there. Proteins help make up most of the human body
Once you go protein you can't go back.
- #6
kalladin
- 74
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There's also differential transcription and translation in some cells versus others. For example, the lens cell in the eye contains thousands of crystallin proteins which serve to focus light (I think). In the growing lens cells, there would be very high amounts of transcription of the crystallin message, and translation of the protein.
In contrast, blood cells would not have transcription and translation of crystallin, but instead have transcription and translation of haemoglobin.
In my opinion, it is not genes that "tell" what cells can do. Instead, it is the transcription of certain genes that limit the abilities of the cell. There are many things that determine what a cell's ability should be, and should include, for example inducing factors from the surrounding connective tissue. Theoretically, if a cell were to be located in some other place of the body, it would change its transcription activities accordingly to what its new destined function is.
K.
In contrast, blood cells would not have transcription and translation of crystallin, but instead have transcription and translation of haemoglobin.
In my opinion, it is not genes that "tell" what cells can do. Instead, it is the transcription of certain genes that limit the abilities of the cell. There are many things that determine what a cell's ability should be, and should include, for example inducing factors from the surrounding connective tissue. Theoretically, if a cell were to be located in some other place of the body, it would change its transcription activities accordingly to what its new destined function is.
K.
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