How does glucose affect the lac operon?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking how glucose influences the lac operon, a genetic regulatory system found in bacteria. This will involve discussing the role of glucose in catabolite repression and how it affects the expression of genes involved in lactose metabolism.
Answer
Glucose inhibits lac operon activation by lowering cAMP levels.
The final answer is Glucose inhibits lac operon activation by lowering cAMP levels.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is Glucose inhibits lac operon activation by lowering cAMP levels.
More Information
In the presence of glucose, intracellular cAMP levels fall, which prevents the activation of the lac operon. This mechanism, known as catabolite repression, ensures that glucose is used first over other sugars like lactose.
Tips
A common mistake is thinking glucose directly inhibits the repressor protein. Instead, glucose lowers cAMP levels, which indirectly results in decreased lac operon activation.
Sources
- Positive Transcription Control: The Glucose Effect - Nature - nature.com
- cAMP receptor protein–cAMP plays a crucial role in glucose–lactose ... - NCBI - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Influence of Catabolite Repression and Inducer Exclusion on ... - NCBI - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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