Campbell Biology (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321775651
ISBN 13: 978-0-32177-565-8

Chapter 18 - 18.2 - Concept Check - Page 373: 2

Answer

General transcription factors help to turn on many genes in most or all situations while specific transcription factors help to cause necessary time- and place-specific changes in gene expression.

Work Step by Step

Think about the cells in your fingertip. They have to express some genes in common with all other cells just to stay alive, such as ones for cellular respiration. Other genes, to make those cells to look and function appropriately (as in making fingerprints), must be expressed just in those cells. The two sets of transcription factors mentioned in the question achieve these two aims.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.