The functioning of enhancers is an example of
a. A eukaryotic equivalent of prokaryotic promoter functioning.
b. Transcriptional control of gene expression.
c. The stimulation of translation by initiation factors.
d. Post-translational control that activates certain proteins.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of enhancers in gene expression. Enhancers are DNA sequences that increase the transcription of associated genes.
2. Recognize that enhancers are involved in transcriptional control, which is the process of regulating the transcription of genes into mRNA.
3. Differentiate between transcriptional control and other levels of gene expression regulation, such as translational control and post-translational control.
4. Identify that enhancers do not directly stimulate translation or activate proteins post-translationally, but rather influence the transcription process.
5. Conclude that the functioning of enhancers is an example of transcriptional control of gene expression, aligning with option b.

Key Concepts

Enhancers

Enhancers are DNA sequences that can significantly increase the transcription of genes. They function by binding transcription factors, which help recruit the transcription machinery to the promoter region of a gene, thus enhancing gene expression. Unlike promoters, enhancers can be located far from the gene they regulate and can work in either orientation.

Transcriptional Control

Transcriptional control refers to the regulation of gene expression at the level of transcription, where the synthesis of RNA from DNA is modulated. This control is crucial for determining which genes are expressed in a cell, influencing cell function and identity. Enhancers play a key role in transcriptional control by facilitating the binding of transcription factors to the promoter region.

Gene Expression

Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize functional gene products, typically proteins. This process involves transcription and translation, and is regulated at multiple levels, including transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and post-translational stages. Enhancers are involved in the transcriptional regulation of gene expression, affecting how much and when a gene is expressed.