Operon Structure

An operon is a group of genes in bacteria that are controlled together and work as a unit. They share a common promoter, which is a DNA sequence where the process of making proteins (transcription) begins. When a specific signal activates the operon, all the genes in the group are turned on simultaneously to produce related proteins. This coordinated regulation allows bacteria to efficiently respond to changes in their environment, such as producing enzymes only when needed. Essentially, operons are genetic systems that allow bacteria to control multiple genes collectively for streamlined and efficient gene expression.