Transcription Regulation in Bacteria

These flashcards cover key concepts related to transcription regulation in bacteria, focusing on the lac operon, control mechanisms, and the role of specific molecules.

What is the primary function of transcription regulation in bacteria?

To allow bacteria to respond to their environment in the most energetically favorable way.

What are the two types of control in transcription regulation?

Negative control and positive control.

What molecule inhibits transcription in negative control?

A repressor.

What triggers transcription in positive control?

An activator.

What is the role of allolactose in the lac operon?

It binds to the lac repressor and prevents it from inhibiting transcription.

What happens when glucose is present in relation to cAMP?

Glucose presence leads to low cAMP levels, which inhibits activation of the lac operon.

What is the significance of polycistronic mRNA in bacteria?

It allows multiple coding regions to be transcribed together, each with its own ribosome binding site.

What are the main proteins involved in lactose utilization in E. coli?

Beta-galactosidase and lactose permease.

How does the presence of lactose affect transcription of the lac operon?

Lactose presence leads to the production of allolactose, which inhibits the lac repressor, allowing transcription.

What is cAMP and what role does it play in the lac operon?

cAMP is a small effector molecule that activates CAP to promote transcription in the absence of glucose.