Which enzyme/s will be produced in a cell in which there is a non-sens...
Non sense mutation is point mutation which result in premature stop codon so transcription stop there.
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Which enzyme/s will be produced in a cell in which there is a non-sens...
Understanding the Lac Operon
The lac operon is a crucial system in E. coli that enables the utilization of lactose. It consists of three structural genes: lacZ, lacY, and lacA. Each gene encodes a specific enzyme.
Key Components of the Lac Operon
- lacZ: Encodes β-galactosidase, which breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose.
- lacY: Encodes lactose permease, which facilitates the transport of lactose into the cell.
- lacA: Encodes transacetylase, involved in the detoxification of by-products.
Impact of a Non-sense Mutation in lacY
A non-sense mutation in the lacY gene introduces a premature stop codon, leading to a truncated protein. This results in:
- Loss of Lactose Permease Production: The lactose permease protein is not synthesized, hence lactose cannot be effectively transported into the cell.
Production of Other Enzymes
Despite the non-sense mutation in lacY, the lacZ and lacA genes remain intact:
- β-galactosidase (lacZ): This enzyme can still be produced since the mutation does not affect its gene. Therefore, β-galactosidase can still be synthesized.
- Transacetylase (lacA): Similarly, this enzyme is also unaffected by the lacY mutation and can still be produced.
Conclusion
In summary, a non-sense mutation in the lacY gene results in the absence of lactose permease. However, β-galactosidase and transacetylase can still be produced because their respective genes (lacZ and lacA) are unaffected. Hence, the correct answer is option 'A' – β-galactosidase will be produced in the cell.
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