A cluster of bacterial genes under one promoter and operator, regulated together.
Operons allow coordinated control of related genes; the operator is a DNA site where a repressor binds and blocks RNA polymerase. They are mainly found in prokaryotes.
Regulation can be negative (repressor) or positive (activator such as CAP).
A cluster of bacterial genes under one promoter and operator, regulated together.
Operon is one of the 52 topics in Molecular Biology. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Lac Operon, Translational Control, Transcription.
The his operon controls histidine synthesis.
Work through the Beginner topics in Molecular Biology first, such as Central Dogma, DNA Replication, Base Pairing, then return to Operon. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
The closest topics to Operon are Lac Operon, Translational Control, Transcription, Trp Operon. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Operon. To practise the whole of Molecular Biology, use the Molecular Biology quiz.
Operon: A cluster of bacterial genes under one promoter and operator, regulated together. Lac Operon: An inducible bacterial operon switched on when lactose is present and glucose is scarce. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Lac Operon and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Molecular Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
An inducible bacterial operon switched on when lactose is present and glucose is scarce.
🧫 Molecular BiologyRegulation of protein synthesis rate through initiation factors, upstream open reading frames and mRNA stability.
🧫 Molecular BiologyThe process of making an RNA copy of a gene using DNA as a template.
🧫 Molecular BiologyA repressible operon turned off when tryptophan accumulates and activates the repressor.
🧫 Molecular Biology