Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Genetics51m
- 2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
- 3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
- 4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
- 5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
- 6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
- 7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
- 8. DNA Replication1h 10m
- 9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
- 10. Transcription1h 0m
- 11. Translation58m
- 12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
- 13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
- 14. Genetic Control of Development44m
- 15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
- 16. Transposable Elements47m
- 17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
- 18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- 19. Cancer Genetics29m
- 20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
- 21. Population Genetics50m
- 22. Evolutionary Genetics29m
12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes
Lac Operon
3:36 minutes
Problem 16a
Textbook Question
Textbook QuestionIn the lac operon, what are the likely effects on operon gene transcription of the mutations described in a–e?
Mutation of the CAP binding site of the lac promoter
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Lac Operon
The lac operon is a set of genes in E. coli that are involved in the metabolism of lactose. It consists of structural genes (lacZ, lacY, and lacA) and regulatory elements that control their expression. The operon is typically off when lactose is absent and is activated in the presence of lactose, allowing the bacteria to utilize this sugar as an energy source.
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Lac Operon Overview
CAP Binding Site
The CAP (catabolite activator protein) binding site is a region in the lac operon promoter that facilitates the binding of CAP when glucose levels are low. This binding enhances the transcription of the lac operon genes by promoting RNA polymerase attachment to the promoter. Mutations in this site can significantly reduce the operon's transcriptional activation, especially in low glucose conditions.
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Lac Operon Regulation
Transcription Regulation
Transcription regulation refers to the mechanisms that control the rate of gene transcription, determining how much of a gene's product is made. In the lac operon, transcription is regulated by the presence of lactose and glucose, as well as by proteins like CAP and the repressor. Mutations affecting these regulatory elements can lead to altered gene expression, impacting the organism's ability to metabolize lactose.
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Eukaryotic Transcription
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