Cells, of course, make more than proteins-they also synthesize glycogen, fat, steroids, phospholipids, pigments, and many other compounds.

There are no genes for these cell products, yet their synthesis is under indirect genetic control. How? They are produced by enzymatic reactions, and enzymes are proteins encoded by genes.

Consider the production of testosterone, for example (fig. 4.12). This is a steroid; there is no gene for testosterone.

But to make it, a cell of the testis takes in cholesterol and enzymatically converts it to testosterone. This can occur only if the genes for the enzymes are active.

Yet a further implication of this is that genes may greatly affect such complex outcomes as behavior, since testosterone strongly influences such behaviors as aggression and sex drive.

In short, DNA codes only for RNA and protein synthesis, yet it indirectly controls the synthesis of a much wider range of substances concerned with all aspects of anatomy, physiology, and behavior.

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Question	Answer
Cells, of course, make more than proteins-they also synthesize glycogen, fat, steroids, phospholipids, pigments, and many other compounds.	There are no genes for these cell products, yet their synthesis is under indirect genetic control. How? They are produced by enzymatic reactions, and enzymes are proteins encoded by genes.
Consider the production of testosterone, for example (fig. 4.12). This is a steroid; there is no gene for testosterone.	But to make it, a cell of the testis takes in cholesterol and enzymatically converts it to testosterone. This can occur only if the genes for the enzymes are active.
Yet a further implication of this is that genes may greatly affect such complex outcomes as behavior, since testosterone strongly influences such behaviors as aggression and sex drive.	In short, DNA codes only for RNA and protein synthesis, yet it indirectly controls the synthesis of a much wider range of substances concerned with all aspects of anatomy, physiology, and behavior.

Created by: Russells3709

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