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Lac Operon
E. coli bacteria can break down lactose, but it's not their
favorite carbon source. If glucose is around, they would
much rather use that. Glucose requires fewer steps and
less energy to break down than lactose. However, if
lactose is the only sugar available, the E. coli will go right
ahead and use it as an energy source.
To use lactose, the bacteria must express the lac operon
genes, which encode key enzymes for lactose uptake
and metabolism. To be as efficient as possible, E. coli
should express the lac operon only when two conditions
are met:
Lactose is available, and Glucose is not available
When does the lac operon really turn on?
Situation 1
Situation 2
Situation 3
Situation 4
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Lac Operon Mechanism