Questions
- What is an Operon?
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IMPORTANTE
IMPORTANTE An “operon” is a gene regulation technique found mostly in prokeryotes and in a few eukaryotes
You can think of an operon as a folder, a pack, of genes that are transcribed (and then translated) together, these genes have a common promoter and a common operator:
The operon can be repressed if a repressor binds to the operator and blocks the RNA Polymerase from transcribing.
~Ex.: Lac Operon
It “packs” 3 genes for the production of enzymes that help in the process of breaking up lactose (sugar) so that bacteria can feast on its products
There is a gene that codes for the specific repressor for the “lac operator”, the “lacI”
The lactose (sugar) can bind to the represson, changing its form, so that it cannot attach to the operator:
And the RNA Polymerase can start making the RNA or mRNA (same thing)
QUINDI: Only in the presence of lactose (sugar) the repressor is disables, and the RNA Polymerase can start trascribing the enzymes’ genes to help breake down lactose
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