Final answer:
In bacterial cells, enzymatic pathways are coordinated by operons. The components of an operon, including the promoter, operator, operon itself, repressor, regulatory genes, and corepressor, play specific roles in regulating gene expression.
Step-by-step explanation:
In bacterial cells, enzymatic pathways are coordinated by operons, which involve different components. The role of each component is as follows:
- Promoter: The promoter is a DNA sequence where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription of the genes in the operon.
- Operator: The operator is a DNA sequence located near the promoter, where a regulatory protein called the repressor can bind. The binding of the repressor to the operator prevents RNA polymerase from transcribing the genes.
- Operon: An operon is a unit of genetic expression consisting of a group of related genes and the regulatory sequences controlling their transcription. It includes the promoter, operator, and the genes.
- Repressor: The repressor is a regulatory protein that can bind to the operator and prevent transcription of the genes in the operon.
- Regulatory genes: Regulatory genes are genes that code for proteins involved in the regulation of operons. They can produce activator proteins that enhance transcription or repressor proteins that inhibit it.
- Corepressor: The corepressor is a molecule that can bind to the repressor protein and activate it, causing it to bind to the operator and prevent transcription.