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Cellular Control

The lac operon

  • 2 things to know
  • Components 02 and 03

Overview

The lacZ, lacY and lacA genes, the promoter, the operator and the regulatory gene, and what changes at the operon when lactose is present.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Process

Explain control of the lac operon.

Key term

What is the lac operon?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is the lac operon?

    Model answer

    A group of genes in prokaryotes that are transcribed together and regulated as a unit, controlling lactose metabolism.

  2. 2

    What is the function of the lacZ gene in the lac operon?

    Model answer

    It is a structural gene that codes for β-galactosidase, an enzyme involved in lactose metabolism.

  3. 3

    What is the role of the lacY gene in the lac operon?

    Model answer

    It is a structural gene that codes for lactose permease, which transports lactose into the cell.

  4. 4

    What does the lacA gene encode in the lac operon?

    Model answer

    It is a structural gene that codes for transacetylase, involved in lactose metabolism.

  5. 5

    What is the function of the promoter in the lac operon?

    Model answer

    It is the region where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription of the structural genes.

  6. 6

    What is the role of the operator in the lac operon?

    Model answer

    It is the DNA sequence where the repressor protein binds to block transcription.

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