NEET2026ZoologyMolecular Basis of InheritanceActual
In the lac operon, the z gene codes for :
Options
- Apermease
- Btransacetylase
- Cbeta-galactosidase
- Dthe repressor of lac operon
Correct answer
C. beta-galactosidase
Step-by-step solution
In the lac operon, the structural genes are z, y, and a. The z gene codes for beta-galactosidase, 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 beta-galactosides. The a gene codes for a transacetylase. The i gene codes for the repressor of the lac operon. Answer: beta-galactosidase