Question

Expression of structural genes is controlled by

• A. Operator
• B. Promoter
• C. Ligase
• D. Regulatory gene

Answer 1

The correct option is D Regulatory gene

Operon can be defined as DNA segment having a cluster of genes which are controlled by single promoter. It consists of operator gene and structural genes. The operator gene regulates the expression of structural genes by providing a binding site to transcription factor which in turn regulate the gene expression by altering the binding of RNA polymerase to the promoter region. A promoter is a DNA segment where transcription of a particular gene starts. Ligase enzymes facilitate the joining of two DNA strand together by phosphodiester bonds. The regulator genes code for transcription factor/repressor proteins that binds to operators or promoters and prevent RNA polymerase from transcribing RNA. The alteration in repressor proteins by inducers make them unable to bind DNA and allow RNA polymerase to carry out transcription. Thus regulator gene control the functioning of structural genes via operator gene. Option D is correct answer.