operon, genetic regulatory system found in bacteria and their viruses in which genes coding for functionally related proteins are clustered along the DNA. This feature allows protein synthesis to be controlled coordinately in response to the needs of the cell.

What is the biological advantage of operons to bacteria?

What is the biological advantage of operons to bacteria? Operons afford the organism the opportunity to simultaneously regulate transcription of multiple genes, whose products are active in the same process.

What are operons in biology?

Operons are clusters of genes that share the same promoter and are transcribed as a single large mRNA that contains multiple structural genes or cistrons.

What is the purpose of operons in protein synthesis?

What is the purpose of operons in protein synthesis? – They contain promoters and operators that determine when a gene is transcribed.

What is the importance of lac operon?

The lac, or lactose, operon is found in E. coli and some other enteric bacteria. This operon contains genes coding for proteins in charge of transporting lactose into the cytosol and digesting it into glucose. This glucose is then used to make energy.

What is operon and its function?

Operon: A set of genes transcribed under the control of an operator gene. More specifically, an operon is a segment of DNA containing adjacent genes including structural genes, an operator gene, and a regulatory gene. An operon is thus a functional unit of transcription and genetic regulation.

How do operons increase the efficiency of gene expression in bacteria?

For instance, a well-studied operon called the lac operon contains genes that encode proteins involved in uptake and metabolism of a particular sugar, lactose. Operons allow the cell to efficiently express sets of genes whose products are needed at the same time.

What does operon model represent?

4.1 The Operon Model of Gene Regulation. An operon is a cluster of genes that are transcribed together to give a single messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule, which therefore encodes multiple proteins (Fig. 16.11). Such polycistronic mRNA is typically found in prokaryotes.

What is an operon in biology quizlet?

operon. a group of genes working together to make specific protein — composed of a promoter, regulator, operator, and structural genes. promoter. the site on the operon where RNA polymerase binds to start transcription. regulator.

What is operon in gene expression?

In genetics, an operon is a functioning unit of DNA containing a cluster of genes under the control of a single promoter. In general, expression of prokaryotic operons leads to the generation of polycistronic mRNAs, while eukaryotic operons lead to monocistronic mRNAs.

Why are operons functional genes regulated in a cell?

Why are operons/ functional genes regulated in a cell? The cell conserves energy by not making enzymes it doesn’t need to function. substitution of one base for another in a gene. In which process are amino acids linked together to form proteins?

What is the function of cAMP in the regulation of the lac operon?

Instead, it’s regulated by a small molecule called cyclic AMP (cAMP). cAMP is a “hunger signal” made by E. coli when glucose levels are low. cAMP binds to CAP, changing its shape and making it able to bind DNA and promote transcription.

What is the role of the protein encoded by the lacZ gene?

What is the role of the protein encoded by the lacZ gene? The lacZ gene encodes an enzyme that converts lactose to allolactose, and the lacZ gene encodes an enzyme that converts lactose to glucose and galactose.

What is the purpose of the lac operon and under what circumstances is it activated?

The lac operon is on or induced when allolactose is bound to the lac I repressor protein, allowing transcription to be activated to high levels. When allolactose is not bound, lac I is recruited to the lac operator, blocking RNA polymerase from transcribing the gene.

What is operon with the help of lac operon explain the idea of operon concept?

Lac operon contains genes involved in metabolism. The operon is turned on and off in response to the glucose and lactose levels: catabolite activator protein and lac repressor. The lac repressor blocks the transcription of the operon. In the presence of lactose, it stops acting as a repressor.

What is DNA important?

DNA is pivotal to our growth, reproduction, and health. It contains the instructions necessary for your cells to produce proteins that affect many different processes and functions in your body. Because DNA is so important, damage or mutations can sometimes contribute to the development of disease.