2. Learning Objectives

2.4. Gene expression regulation helps to conserve Energy and Space

Energy and space are conserved through gene expression control. Just activating the genes when necessary will use less energy. Also, because DNA must be unwound from its tightly coiled shape in order to be translated and transcribed, just expressing a selection of genes in each cell conserves space. If every protein were constantly expressed in every cell, cells would need to be extremely large.