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In an E.coli strain i gene gets mutated and its product can not bind the inducer molecule. If growth medium is provided with lactose, what will be the outcome?
  • a)
    z, y, a genes will be transcribed
  • b)
    z, y, a genes will not be translated
  • c)
    RNA polymerase will bind the promoter region
  • d)
    Only z gene will get transcribed
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
In an E.coli strain i gene gets mutated and its product can not bind t...
Outcome of a gene mutation in E.coli strain

When a gene in an E.coli strain gets mutated and its product is unable to bind the inducer molecule, the outcome in the presence of lactose in the growth medium will be that the z, y, and a genes will not be translated. Let's understand this in detail:

1. Lac Operon and the Role of Inducer Molecule
- In E.coli, the lac operon is a set of genes responsible for lactose metabolism.
- The lac operon consists of three structural genes: z, y, and a, which encode for β-galactosidase, lactose permease, and transacetylase, respectively.
- The lac operon is regulated by a regulatory gene called the lacI gene and is controlled by an inducer molecule called allolactose.

2. Functioning of the Lac Operon
- In the absence of lactose, the lac repressor protein, encoded by the lacI gene, binds to the operator region of the lac operon.
- This binding prevents RNA polymerase from transcribing the z, y, and a genes, leading to no transcription and translation of these genes.
- When lactose is present in the growth medium, it is converted into allolactose by β-galactosidase.
- Allolactose acts as an inducer molecule and binds to the lac repressor protein, causing a conformational change.
- This change prevents the lac repressor protein from binding to the operator region, allowing RNA polymerase to transcribe the z, y, and a genes.

3. Mutation in the Inducer Binding Site
- In the given scenario, the gene responsible for producing the lac repressor protein has undergone a mutation.
- Due to this mutation, the lac repressor protein is unable to bind to the inducer molecule (allolactose).
- As a result, the lac repressor protein remains bound to the operator region of the lac operon, even in the presence of lactose in the growth medium.

4. Outcome in the Presence of Lactose
- Since the lac repressor protein remains bound to the operator region, RNA polymerase is unable to bind and initiate transcription of the z, y, and a genes.
- In the absence of transcription, translation cannot occur, leading to no protein synthesis of β-galactosidase, lactose permease, and transacetylase.
- Therefore, the outcome of this gene mutation is that the z, y, and a genes will not be translated.

Conclusion
In an E.coli strain where a gene mutation prevents the product from binding the inducer molecule, the z, y, and a genes will not be translated, resulting in the absence of protein synthesis for β-galactosidase, lactose permease, and transacetylase.
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Community Answer
In an E.coli strain i gene gets mutated and its product can not bind t...
In E. coli, the lac operon is responsible for the metabolism of lactose. The lac operon consists of three structural genes: z, y, and a. The z gene encodes beta-galactosidase, which is responsible for the hydrolysis of lactose. The y gene encodes permease, which facilitates the uptake of lactose into the cell. The a gene encodes transacetylase, which is involved in the metabolism of lactose.
In the given scenario, if the mutated gene product cannot bind the inducer molecule (lactose), it would result in the inability to induce the lac operon. Without the inducer molecule, the lac repressor protein would remain bound to the operator region, preventing the transcription of the z, y, and a genes. Consequently, the mRNA for these genes will not be synthesized, and therefore, translation (protein synthesis) of the z, y, and a genes will not occur.
Hence, the correct answer is that z, y, and a genes will not be translated (option b).
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In an E.coli strain i gene gets mutated and its product can not bind the inducer molecule. If growth medium is provided with lactose, what will be the outcome?a)z, y, a genes will be transcribedb)z, y, a genes will not be translatedc)RNA polymerase will bind the promoter regiond)Only z gene will get transcribedCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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In an E.coli strain i gene gets mutated and its product can not bind the inducer molecule. If growth medium is provided with lactose, what will be the outcome?a)z, y, a genes will be transcribedb)z, y, a genes will not be translatedc)RNA polymerase will bind the promoter regiond)Only z gene will get transcribedCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for NEET 2024 is part of NEET preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the NEET exam syllabus. Information about In an E.coli strain i gene gets mutated and its product can not bind the inducer molecule. If growth medium is provided with lactose, what will be the outcome?a)z, y, a genes will be transcribedb)z, y, a genes will not be translatedc)RNA polymerase will bind the promoter regiond)Only z gene will get transcribedCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for NEET 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for In an E.coli strain i gene gets mutated and its product can not bind the inducer molecule. If growth medium is provided with lactose, what will be the outcome?a)z, y, a genes will be transcribedb)z, y, a genes will not be translatedc)RNA polymerase will bind the promoter regiond)Only z gene will get transcribedCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
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