The operon model for the regulation of enzyme synthesis conc…
The operon model for the regulation of enzyme synthesis concerned in lactose utilization by Escherichia coli includes a regulator gene (I ), a promoter (P ), an operator region (O ), a structural gene (Z ) for the enzyme beta-galactosidase, and another structural gene (Y ) for b-galactoside permease. Mutations in the lac operon have the following effects: Z – and Y – mutant strains are unable to make functional beta-galactosidase and beta-galactoside permease, respectively, whereas I – and O C mutant strains synthesize the lac operon gene-products constitutively. For the following genotypes please indicate whether a functional beta-galactosidase gene will be expressed or not when the cells are grown with or without lactose present. I – P + O + Z +Y +