Question

What is an inducible operon?

Answer 1

Operon:

1. A group of genes with related functions that are clustered together with DNA sequences that allow only certain genes to express when required and turn off the expression of genes when not required.
2. The operon is an example of gene regulation that is commonly observed in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
3. An operon is composed of structural (genes that code for protein ) and regulatory genes( genes involved in regulating the expression of structural genes).

Inducible operon :

1. The operons whose expression increases quantitatively in response to an enhancer, an inducer or a positive regulator is known as an inducible operon.
2. An inducible operon is off.
3. It is involved in the breakdown of nutrients using catabolic pathways.

Example: Lac Operon :

1. The best-studied example of an inducible Operon is Lac Operon which is found in Escherichia coli.
2. The lac operon explains the metabolism of lactose, in the presence and absence of lactose.
3. In the presence of lactose, the operon expresses three genes, namely LacZ, LacY, and LacA.