Activity: The lac Operon = Click here to view this animation. Then answer the questions. Part A ‘Which of the following statements best defines the term operon? You did not open hints for this part ANSWER: ‘An operon is a region of DNA that codes for sugar-metabolizing enzymes. ‘An operon is a region of RNA that consists of the coding regions of more than one gene, ‘An operon is a region of DNA that consists of a single gene regulated by more than one promoter. ‘An operon is a region of DNA that codes for a series of functionally related genes under the control of the same promoter. PartB ‘What molecule binds to promoters in bacteria and transcribes the coding regions of the genes? ‘You did not open hints for this part. ANSWER:DNAligase RNA polymerase, Anucleotide DNA polymerase Part C What is allosteric regulation? You did not open hints for this part. ANSWER: In allosteric regulation, a gene is tumed on by an activator protein. In allosteric regulation, a small molecule binds to a large protein and causes it to change its shape and activity In allosteric regulation, a gone is tumed off by a repressor protein. In allosteric regulation, genes are expressed constitutively. Part D Under which conditions are the /ac structural genes expressed most efficiently? You did not open hints for this part ANSWER: No glucose, no lactose High glucose, high lactose High glucose, no lactose No glucose, high lactose PartE ‘What happens to the expression of the /ac! gene if lactose is not available in the cell? You did not open hints for this part. ANSWER:‘There is no change—the Jacl gene is constitutively expressed. ‘The acl gene tums on, ‘The lac! gene tums off. ‘The lac! gene increases its rate of transcription. Part F What is the function of the lacZ gene? You did not open hints for this part. ANSWER: ‘This gene encodes the repressor of the lac operon. This gene encodes an enzyme, b-galactosidase, that cleaves lactose into two glucose molecules. This gene encodes an enzyme, b-galactosidase, which cleaves lactose into glucose and galactose. This gene encodes an enzyme, galactoside permease, which transports lactose into the cell. Part Which of the following enzymes converts ATP to cAMP? ANSWER: Adenylyl cyclase Galactoside permease ATP synthase b-galactosidase PartH True or false? The mechanism by which glucose inhibits expression of the /ac structural genes is known as catabolite stimulation, whereas the mechanism by which lactose stimulates expression of the /ac structural genes is known as allosteric regulation, You did not open hints for this part. ANSWER: True False