Question

Why lactose is called inducer in Lac Operon?

Answer 1

Lac Operon

1. It is a type of operon , which is a cluster of genes with a single promoter (transcribed as a single mRNA).
2. The genes in the operon code for proteins that allow bacteria to use lactose as an energy source.
3. It's also found in the cells of some fungi.
4. Lactose is metabolized by three proteinaceous enzymes encoded by the lac z, lac y, and lac a structural genes.
5. A type of operon is the lac operon, which is a cluster of genes with a single promoter (transcribed as a single mRNA).
6. An inducer, or tiny chemical that prompts the expression of a gene or operon.
7. Allolactose is an example of an inducer, a small molecule that triggers expression of a gene or operon.
8. The lac operon is classified as an inducible operon since it is normally repressed but can be activated in the presence of the inducer allolactose.
9. Lactose does not directly control the lac operon.
10. As an inducer, allolactose binds to the lac repressor, stops repression, and permits transcription of the lacZ and associated genes.