Identify similarities and differences between an inducible operon and a repressible operon in terms of

the presence and action of allosteric regulatory molecules.

Key Concepts

Operons

Operons are clusters of genes under the control of a single promoter, allowing for coordinated expression in prokaryotic cells. They can be classified into two main types: inducible operons, which are activated in response to specific signals, and repressible operons, which are typically active but can be inhibited by certain molecules. Understanding the basic structure and function of operons is essential for analyzing their regulatory mechanisms.

Inducible Operons

Inducible operons, such as the lac operon, are typically off but can be turned on in the presence of an inducer, which is often a substrate that the operon helps metabolize. The inducer binds to a repressor protein, causing a conformational change that prevents the repressor from binding to the operator region, thus allowing transcription. This mechanism illustrates how cells can adapt to environmental changes by regulating gene expression.

Repressible Operons

Repressible operons, like the trp operon, are usually active and can be turned off when a specific corepressor is present. The corepressor binds to the repressor protein, enabling it to attach to the operator and block transcription. This system allows cells to conserve resources by halting the production of enzymes when the end product of a metabolic pathway is abundant, demonstrating a feedback inhibition mechanism.