Texas A&M University (TAMU) BIOL111 Introductory Biology I Exam 1 Practice Exam

Gene expression is the process by which information encoded in a gene is translated into a functional product, typically a protein. This involves two main stages: transcription, where the DNA sequence of a gene is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA), and translation, where the mRNA is used as a template to assemble amino acids into a polypeptide chain that folds into a functional protein. This process is crucial because proteins are responsible for carrying out the majority of cellular functions and reactions.

Understanding gene expression is fundamental to biology because it directly relates to how traits are expressed in organisms, how cells respond to environmental signals, and how various biological processes are regulated. It plays a pivotal role in development, cellular function, and adaptation. This distinction emphasizes the essential role that gene expression plays in the phenotype of an organism and its ability to adapt to changing conditions.