Final answer:
Inducible negative control refers to the gene being transcribed in the presence of a specific molecule, with the lac operon being a classic example activated by lactose.
Step-by-step explanation:
Inducible negative control is when the gene is transcribed by the presence of a specific molecule. This is a form of gene regulation commonly seen in prokaryotic cells, such as the lac operon, which is activated in the presence of lactose, allowing the genes responsible for lactose metabolism to be transcribed. The molecule that triggers such transcription is called an inducer.
Conversely, a repressor protein can bind to the operator region of DNA to prevent transcription, a term referred to as negative regulation. Regulation of gene expression can occur at various levels, but inducible control typically refers to transcriptional control though it can involve post-transcriptional mechanisms as well.