Final answer:
Catabolite repression is actually positive regulation because it increases gene transcription and expression. Catabolite activator protein (CAP) binds to the promoter region and enhances the binding ability of RNA polymerase, leading to increased transcription of genes involved in the processing of alternative sugar sources.
Step-by-step explanation:
Catabolite repression, despite its name, is actually a form of positive regulation because it enhances gene transcription and increases the expression of specific genes. In the case of catabolite repression, a positive regulator protein called catabolite activator protein (CAP) binds to the promoter region of genes associated with the processing of alternative sugar sources. This binding increases the binding ability of RNA polymerase to the promoter region, resulting in increased transcription of these genes.