Select the two correct statements out of the four (A–D) statements given below about lac operon. The correct statements are :
- B and D
- A and B
- B and C
- A and C
Answer
(1) B and D
Solution
A – Incorrect: as per NCERT, lactose (more precisely its isomer allolactose) acts as the inducer; it binds the repressor and inactivates it. Glucose or galactose cannot act as inducers of the lac operon.
B – Correct: in the absence of an inducer (lactose), the repressor protein binds to the operator region and prevents RNA polymerase from transcribing the operon.
C – Incorrect: the z gene codes for β-galactosidase; permease is coded by the y gene (a codes for transacetylase).
D – Correct: the lac operon was elucidated by François Jacob and Jacques Monod.
∴ B and D are correct.
Answer: (1)