In: Biology
What structural/organizational characteristic of an operon ensures that the genes contained in the operon will be coordinately controlled?
Operons are structural unit of gene organisation in prokaryotes and consists of multiple structural genes and a regulatory element. Regulatory element includes promoter and operator. Promoter is the site on DNA where RNA polymerase binds and starts transcription and operator is the site on DNA where repressor protein binds and prevent binding of RNA polymerase. Activity of all operons is also regulated by an additional gene called regulatory gene which is present outside the operon system. Product of regulatory gene called activator when increases the rate of operon transcription. Product of regulatory gene called repressor when decreases the rate of operon gene expression. If the product of regulatory gene binds to the upstream of promoter and induce expression of operon genes, system is called positively controlled and if the product of regulatory gene binds to the operator and prevents expression of operon genes, system is called negatively controlled. Hence the promoter helps in ensuring that the genes contained in the operon will be coordinately controlled.