Read the following statements regarding the lac operon: Statement I: The z gene codes for -galactosidase, which is primarily responsible for the hydrolysis of lactose. Statement II: The y gene codes for permease, which increases permeability of the cell to -galactosides. Statement III: The a gene codes for transacetylase. Statement IV: The i gene codes for the inducer of the lac operon. How many of the above statemen

Step-by-step solution

Statement I is correct. The z gene codes for -galactosidase, an enzyme that hydrolyses lactose into galactose and glucose. Statement II is correct. The y gene codes for permease, which increases the permeability of the cell to -galactosides (like lactose). Statement III is correct. The a gene codes for the enzyme transacetylase. Statement IV is incorrect. The i gene does not code for the inducer. The term i refers to inhibitor, and the i gene codes for the repressor protein of the lac operon. Lactose (or allolactos