NEETZoologyMolecular Basis of Inheritance
Which gene codes for the repressor of the lac operon?
Options
- Aa gene
- By gene
- Cz gene
- Di gene
Correct answer
D. i gene
Step-by-step solution
The lac operon consists of one regulatory gene (the i gene – here the term i does not refer to inducer, rather it is derived from the word inhibitor) and three structural genes (z, y, and a). The i gene codes for the repressor of the lac operon . The z gene codes for beta-galactosidase (β-gal), which is primarily responsible for the hydrolysis of the disaccharide, lactose into its monomeric units, galactose and glucose. The y gene codes for permease, which increases permeability of the cell to β-galactosides. The g