Question

What are operons in prokaryotes?

Answer 1

Operons in prokaryotes:

1. Operons are regulatory complexes that control and coordinate protein synthesis based on cell requirements.
2. The operon genes occur continuously on the DNA and are controlled by a single promoter.
3. The promoter is in turn regulated by regulatory elements based on the cell's metabolic need.
4. The main constituents of the operon are a promoter sequence, operator sequence, and structural genes.
5. They participate in gene regulation by inducing or repressing genes.
6. The regulatory proteins are either repressors or activators that bind to the operator gene and determine the fate of the operon.
7. Operons are commonly found in bacterias, viruses, and bacteriophages.
8. Lac operon and trp operon are operons found in prokaryotes.