Why do cells need to control when genes are expressed?

Answer 1

To Conserve energy. If a cell has no need for the gene to be expressed, the gene can be turned off

Answer 2

Every cell in the human body (except gametes) have the same genetic information, meaning they all have the same genes. And yet, humans have different cell types that have different functions. This is because cells control when genes are expressed and at what level, so different cell types have different gene expression levels.

Also the cell needs to be able to adapt to changes. For instance, plant cells undergo apoptosis when neighboring cells are infected with a virus. This prevents the spread of the virus and saves the entire plant from becoming infected and dying. The genes involved in apoptosis are present in the cell but are not expressed until triggered by extracellular events.

Answer 3

Well, it is important for a cell to control gene expression to ensure that the development of the organism will proceed in a normal way. If the cell doesn't control gene expression, it will lead to a lot of genetic defects and mutations that can even kill the organism.

Answer 4

Every cell contains the same DNA. They need to control DNA expression depending on what their function should be. For example you don't want your skin cells to make bone or like another person said about brain cells secreting HCl. That would be bad :)

Answer 5

There are several reasons why some genes have to be turned off and others turned on.The sequential activation and inactivation bring cells to a point where it can function as a specialized cell devoted to manufacturing special molecules.
One, to bring about efficiency
Two, to have a division of labor
Three, to conserve energy
Four, to stem wastage in the manufacture of large number of molecules not required.

Answer 6

Simple, you only want your parietal cells in the stomach secreting HCl, not your brain cells, otherwise the acid would destroy them. You don't want your stomach cells producing insulin, you want your beta cells in the pancreas to do that. There are many different cell types with different jobs, and the genes they express determine the job they have.

Answer 7

to control the functioning of the cell, specific genes do specific things, they aren't all needed all of the time

Answer 8

DNA is inside of the cell. the DNA is called the nucleus. the nucleus has a thin layer surrounding it which is called the nuclear envelope.