Maximal induction of the lactose operon in

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The lac operon is primarily regulated by the presence or absence of lactose and glucose in the environment. When lactose is plentiful and glucose is limiting, the levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in the cell increase, which activates the catabolite activator protein (CAP). The activated CAP binds to the CAP binding site upstream of the lac promoter and increases transcription of the lac operon, leading to maximal induction. In the presence of both glucose and lactose, glucose is preferred as an energy source and cAMP levels decrease, leading to decreased induction of the lac operon. When both glucose and lactose are limiting, the cell enters a stationary phase and the expression of the lac operon is shut down.

Maximal Induction of the Lactose Operon in