The Lac Operon

The lac operon is a group of genes in bacteria that work together to help digest lactose, a sugar found in milk. When lactose is present, it triggers the activation of these genes, producing enzymes needed to break it down. When lactose isn't available, the genes stay turned off to conserve energy. This regulation is controlled by a network of molecules that act like switches, turning genes on or off depending on the presence of lactose. This system allows bacteria to efficiently manage their resources, producing enzymes only when they are needed to process lactose.