4.1.3

Non-Coding Genes

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Non-Coding Genes

A large proportion of the genes in eukaryotic DNA do NOT code for any polypeptides. These genes have no biological function and are referred to as non-coding genes.

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Exons

  • The coding regions in a gene are called exons.
    • Sequences of coding genes are interrupted at regular intervals by non-coding regions.
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Introns

  • The non-coding regions in a gene are called introns.
    • When a gene is translated for protein synthesis, the introns are removed from the sequence.
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Multiple repeats

  • There are also regions of non-coding multiple repeats in eukaryotic DNA.
  • Multiple repeats are random sequences in the DNA that will be repeated many times (e.g. CGCCGCCGCCGC).

Jump to other topics

1Biological Molecules

2Cells

3Substance Exchange

4Genetic Information & Variation

5Energy Transfers (A2 only)

6Responding to Change (A2 only)

7Genetics & Ecosystems (A2 only)

8The Control of Gene Expression (A2 only)

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