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Chapter 11: Problem 6

How does development of the pancreas illustrate differential gene expression?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The development of the pancreas exemplifies differential gene expression through the progression of undifferentiated progenitor cells into the various specialized cells that compose the pancreas. This is accomplished through selectively switching on certain genes and switching off others in different cells and at different stages of development, resulting in the various cells of the pancreas, such as the insulin-producing beta cells and glucagon-producing alpha cells.

Step by step solution

01

Define differential gene expression

Differential gene expression refers to the process by which genes are 'turned on' or 'off', allowing for the development of different cell types, tissues and organs. Even though each cell in an organism contains the same DNA, not all genes in the genome are expressed in every cell. The set of genes exerting their function by being expressed differs from one cell type to another, causing differences in structure and function.
02

Discuss pancreas development

The pancreas is formed from specific cells in the developing embryo. These cells carry the same DNA as all other cells but are activated to become pancreatic cells through a regulation of gene expression that involves activation of pancreas-specific transcription factors. The progenitor cells in the pancreas undergo further differentiation through a stringent genetic program into different cell types, including insulin-secreting beta cells, glucagon-secreting alpha cells, and others.
03

Link the two concepts together

The development of the pancreas, thus, wholly illustrates differential gene expression. The process begins with undifferentiated progenitor cells. As these cells begin to divide, certain genes are activated (expressed), while others remain dormant. As the pancreas forms, different areas of the organ will see different genes being expressed, which may invoke the formation of, for example, insulin-secreting beta cells or digestive enzyme-secreting exocrine cells. This is differential gene expression at work, giving rise to the complex, multi-functional organ that is the pancreas.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Distinguish between the type of information that epigenetics provides and the information in the DNA sequence of a protein-encoding gene.

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What is the environmental signal that stimulates globin switching?

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