Question

How do prokaryotes turn genes on and off?

Answer 1

Regulation of prokaryotic gene expression:

1. Gene expression is largely regulated at the transcription initiation site in prokaryotes.
2. Regulatory proteins control the activity of RNA polymerase in recognizing the promoter region.
3. Positive regulation is controlled by activators, while negative regulation is controlled by repressors.
4. In most cases, the repressor binds to the operator region adjacent to the operon's promoter area and prevents RNA polymerase from accessing the promoter region.