What does the structural gene (y) of a lac operon code for?a)β-ga...
The structural gene (z) of the lac operon codes for β-galactosidase. It is responsible for the hydrolysis of polysaccharides. The ‘y’ genes code for permease. It increases the permeability of a cell to β-galactosidase. The ‘a’ genes code for transacetylase.
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Structural gene (y) of a lac operon
The structural gene (y) of a lac operon codes for Permease.
Explanation
- Permease is a protein that functions as a lactose transporter in bacterial cells.
- It is responsible for transporting lactose into the cell, where it can then be broken down by β-galactosidase into glucose and galactose.
- The lac operon is a cluster of genes that regulate the metabolism of lactose in bacteria. It consists of three structural genes: lacZ, lacY, and lacA.
- The lacZ gene codes for β-galactosidase, which breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose.
- The lacY gene codes for Permease, which transports lactose into the cell.
- The lacA gene codes for Transacetylase, which is involved in the acetylation of certain sugars.
- Glucagon is a hormone produced in the pancreas of humans and other vertebrates, and it is not related to the lac operon in bacteria.
Therefore, the correct answer is option 'D) Permease'.