Question

The number and identity of the genes is fairly conserved across all primates, such that genes are not thought to be the major player in the evolution of the Homo genus, which includes modern humans. Changes in gene regulatory elements, including enhancers, promoters, insulators, and silencers, are believed to primarily contribute to the difference. Describe how/why you think these gene regulatory elements might contribute to the divergence of humans from the other great apes?

Answer 1

The enhancer, promoter, insulators and silencers are the regulatory elements which are responsible for regulates the expression of genes via inhibition or activation of transcription of such genes. The number and identity of genes are found to be conserved in the primates. This suggests that the same gene is found in all primates. But the genes in human expressed in different manner as compared to the other primates. The presence of enhancer activates the gene from far position when it will interacts with promoter via mediator protein. This activates the gene which is desired genes in human evolution. Similarly insulator and silencers repress the genes which are not useful in human. That's why the activation of certain genes and repression of certain genes transits the primates into a new organism i. e. Human ( Homo genus).