Lac operon consists of the genes that are required for the metabolism of lactose in a bacterium E. coli and some other enteric bacteria. The name Lac operon actually stands for lactose operon . Lac operon works only when the nutrient source lacks glucose and has only lactose as it takes more steps to get metabolized. Lac operon definition The lac operon is a genetic regulatory system found in bacteria, such as E. coli, that controls the transport and metabolism of lactose. It consists of a cluster of genes that are expressed and produce enzymes when lactose is available, while remaining inactive in the absence of lactose or when a more favorable energy source, like glucose, is present. Lac Operon “ Lac operon is an operon or a group of genes with a single promoter that encode genes for the transport and metabolism of lactose in E.coli and other bacteria.” Learn about the lac operon , a group of genes involved in lactose metabolism in bacteria. Find out how it is regulated by lactose, glucose, and other factors, and see diagrams of its structure and function.
