Functionally related genes in bacterial cells are frequently clustered together as a single transcriptional unit termed an operon. A typical operon includes several structural genes, a promoter for the structural genes, and an operator site to which the product of a regulator gene binds.
-What is the difference between a structural gene and a regulator gene?
A) Structural genes are transcribed into mRNA, but regulator genes aren't.
B) Structural genes have complex structures; regulator genes have simple structures.
C) Structural genes encode proteins that function in the structure of the cell; regulator genes carry out metabolic reactions.
D) Structural genes encode proteins; regulator genes control the transcription of structural genes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Structural genes encode proteins that perform various functions in the cell, while regulator genes produce products that control the expression of structural genes, often by interacting with the operator site in an operon.

Functionally Related Genes in Bacterial Cells Are Frequently Clustered Together