Trp Operon

The tryptophan (Trp) operon is a cluster of genes in bacteria that work together to produce the amino acid tryptophan. When tryptophan levels are low, the operon activates, allowing bacteria to make more. When there's enough tryptophan, it acts as a signal to turn the operon off, stopping production. This regulation is managed by a repressor protein that binds to the DNA when tryptophan is abundant, preventing gene expression. This system helps bacteria efficiently manage resources, producing tryptophan only when needed.