Why is gene regulation in eukaryotic cells nore complex than in prokaryotic cells?
There are several mechanisms you can use to explain HOW gene regulation is more complex in eukaryotes than prokaryotes, but the question asks WHY it is more complex. The reason is because eukaryotes have many types of specialized cells that have to express different genes at different times. The human body alone has something like 200 different cell types–each performing a different function. This function is dictated by what genes are being expressed. Second, eukaryotes tend to be much larger than prokaryotes. Stimuli sensed at one part of a eukaryotic body must be relayed to other cells in order for the organism to respond properly (homeostasis). This entails the need for more complex regulatory mechanisms involving hormones and other signaling molecules that must travel long distances quickly. I don’t have a source on this other than what I learned in intro biology, but I think these are the key points here. Hope this helps!
