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Gene Regulation

See how cells decide which instructions to read and when.

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A signal changes access to a gene. A cell receives a cue, but the DNA sequence alone does not decide whether the gene is used. Chromatin state and regulatory proteins determine what can be reached.

gene regulationbasal expression · 26% protein output

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access72%

transcription42%

mRNA29%

protein26%

Chromatin accessibility 72%Activator signal 68%Repressor signal 24%mRNA stability 70%

The regulatory state is basal expression: access, activators, and repressors set how likely transcription is to begin.

This is a control model, not a full eukaryotic transcription simulator. Transcription never drops below an assumed 8% basal (leaky) level, even with closed chromatin or full repression. Real regulation can act through chromatin remodeling, transcription factors, RNA processing, translation, and protein degradation.

04 / PRACTICE

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Answer from the model, then use the explanation to connect the visual mechanism to the biological rule.

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Gene Regulation

Make the biology yours.

What is the first useful distinction when comparing two cells?