Regulation of Gene Expression

AP Biology· difficulty 4/5

Beta-galactosidase activity is measured (absorbance units) for wild-type and a lacI- (constitutive) mutant in each medium.

Medium Activity (A420) glu lac g+l none WT lacI-

What pattern in the lacI- mutant best supports the model of negative regulation by the lac repressor?

  • A

    High activity in all media including no sugar

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  • B

    Activity only in lactose-containing media

  • C

    Activity only in glucose

  • D

    No activity in any medium

Explanation

Without functional repressor (lacI-), beta-galactosidase is expressed constitutively, regardless of inducer. High activity in all four media demonstrates that the wild-type repressor normally blocks transcription in the absence of lactose.

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