operon model

The operon model explains how bacteria control gene activity efficiently. An operon is a group of genes that work together and are regulated as a unit. It includes the genes themselves, a control region called the promoter, and an operator, which acts like a switch. When a specific molecule (like a repressor) binds to the operator, it can turn off or on the entire group of genes. This coordination allows bacteria to quickly respond to changes in their environment, producing only the proteins they need at the right time.