1.Define the term “operon”
2.What is the general function of the arabinose operon?
3.What is arabinose used for by the bacterial cell?
4.What is the function of each region/gene within the operon?
5.Draw a detailed schematic diagram of the arabinose operon showing all of the molecular features of
each region within the operon. The drawing does not have to be to scale.
6.What is the sigma factor that binds to each promoter of the operon?
7.Describe the negative control of the arabinose operon.
8.Describe the positive control of the arabinose operon.
9.Using the questions below, describe what would happen if there was a loss of function frameshift
mutation in the coding region of the control gene.
a.Would the control gene be transcribed? Explain your answer
b.Would the control gene be translated? Explain your answer
c.Would the structural genes be transcribed? Explain your answer.
d.Would the structural genes be translated? Explain your answer.
10.Compare the arabinose operon with the lactose operon in terms of structure and function.