• Question: How do enzymes relate to the genetics of reproduction?

    Asked by to Paul on 6 Mar 2019. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Paul McKeegan

      Paul McKeegan answered on 6 Mar 2019:

      Sorry – This was one of the first questions I answered but my web browser failed me!

      There are a few ways. One is that enzymes are the molecular machines that are responsible for controlling all of the chemical reactions happening inside our cells, like getting energy from food and using it to power copying DNA.

      But there are lots of specific enzymes involved in the genetics of reproduction. There are enzymes that copy the DNA, and make sure the egg and sperm cells get the right amount. There are enzymes that digest the support cells surrounding the egg so the sperm can bind the egg. There are other enzymes that turn genes on and off as the embryos grows.

      I feel that enzymes are responsible for just about everything that happens in biology!

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