Operon (Noun)
Meaning
A segment of DNA containing adjacent genes including structural genes and an operator gene and a regulatory gene.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The operon model of gene regulation explains how bacteria control the expression of multiple genes involved in a particular metabolic pathway.
- The lac operon in E. coli is a well-studied example of how gene expression can be regulated in response to environmental changes.
- Each operon is regulated by a unique set of control elements, including promoters, operators, and regulatory genes.
- The tryptophan operon is responsible for controlling the synthesis of tryptophan, an essential amino acid, in certain bacteria.
- In bacteria, the genes within an operon are transcribed together into a single mRNA molecule, allowing for coordinated regulation of gene expression.