Lac Operon

The lac operon is a set of genes found in bacteria, particularly E. coli, that helps them break down lactose, a sugar found in milk. It acts like a switch: when lactose is present, it activates the genes responsible for digesting it. If lactose isn’t available, the genes are turned off to conserve energy. This system showcases how cells efficiently regulate gene expression based on their environment, ensuring they only produce proteins when they are needed. It's an essential example of gene regulation in biology, illustrating how organisms adapt to different food sources.