Question

Is the lac operon a negative or positive control system?

Answer 1

The lac operon actually uses both systems.

Explanation:

The lac operon exhibits both systems. It is a negative control system because expression is typically blocked by an active repressor (the lac repressor) that turns off transcription. The lac repressor binds to the operator region and negatively controls (prevents) transcription.

However, when CAP (catabolite gene activating protein) binds upstream of this operator region near the promoter and transcription increases, this is an example of a positive control system. We see this positive control of transcription happen when glucose levels decline.

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