OPERON Meaning and
Definition
-
An operon is a functional unit of genetic material found in prokaryotes, such as bacteria, that contains a cluster of genes along with the regulatory elements that control their expression. It can be defined as a group of genes that are located together on the same DNA strand and are transcribed into a single mRNA molecule. This coordinated transcription allows for efficient regulation of gene expression in response to environmental changes.
The operon is typically composed of three main components: the structural genes, the promoter, and the operator. The structural genes are those that code for proteins involved in a specific metabolic pathway or cellular process. The promoter is the region of DNA where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription. The operator is a regulatory sequence located near the promoter that can either enhance or inhibit gene expression by interacting with specific proteins.
The operon model was first proposed by Francois Jacob and Jacques Monod in the 1960s as a mechanism of gene regulation. It has been extensively studied in bacteria, especially the lac operon in E. coli, which controls the metabolism of lactose. By understanding the operon structure and its regulatory elements, scientists have gained insights into the control of gene expression and the adaptive responses of bacteria to changing environments.
In summary, an operon is a genetic unit consisting of a group of genes, along with the regulatory elements, that work together to control gene expression in prokaryotes.
Common Misspellings for OPERON
Etymology of OPERON
The word "operon" was coined by the French biologist François Jacob and the American biochemist Jacques Monod in 1961. Its etymology is a combination of the words "operator" and "gene".
The term "operator" refers to a specific section of DNA to which a regulatory protein binds, thus controlling the expression of adjacent genes. This concept was previously established by Jacob and Monod in their work on gene regulation.
On the other hand, a "gene" is the fundamental unit of heredity responsible for encoding specific traits or functions in an organism.
By combining these two terms, Jacob and Monod created the word "operon" to describe a cluster of genes that are regulated together under the control of a single operator region. This concept revolutionized the understanding of gene expression and regulation in prokaryotic organisms.
Similar spelling words for OPERON
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
