Prokaryote+Gene+Control+-+Lac+Operon

Learning Outcomes:

media type="youtube" key="nBhUhkMlyvQ" height="390" width="480" __Collaborative Notes__ An Operon is a region of DNA only found in prokaryotes. The Operons control the expression of a particular gene. Another region of DNA called a regulator gene produces a repressor molecule which binds to the operon before the gene being repressed. The gene can only be trascribed if a certain substance eg lactose is present to bind to the repressor molecule and remove it from the operon to allow the RNA polymerase to bind to the gene and begin transcribing.
 * Explain what is meant by “controlling gene expression”
 * Explain how the operon is used to control gene expression in prokaryotes (using the Lac Operon example).
 * Differentiate between inducible and repressible control systems in prokaryotes.