In Order to Analyze How Different Components of the Lac

question 171

Multiple Choice

In order to analyze how different components of the lac operon work, scientists created special strains of E. coli, called partial diploids. A partial diploid has one full copy of the lac operon in the bacterial chromosome plus another copy of the lac operon in a plasmid. Hence, for the lac operon (and only the lac operon) the bacterial cell is a diploid. Below is one possible genotype of a partial diploid. The genotype written to the left of the slash (/) is that of the lac operon in the bacterial chromosome, and the genotype written to the right of the slash is that of the lac operon in the plasmid. I⁺ P⁺ O^c Z⁺/ I^- P^- O⁺ Z^-
For the partial diploid genotype shown here, determine whether functional -galactosidase is synthesized in the absence and in the presence of lactose (and the accompanying allolactose that is the actual inducer) .

• A)  -galactosidase is produced whether lactose is present or absent.
• B)  -galactosidase is not produced whether lactose is present or absent.
• C)  -galactosidase is produced when lactose is present but is not produced when lactose is absent.
• D)  -galactosidase is not produced when lactose is present but is produced when lactose is absent.

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Definitions:

Muscle

A tissue in the body composed of fibers capable of contracting to effect bodily movement.

Shortens

The process or action of making something shorter in length or duration.

Striated Muscle

Muscle tissue that is marked by transverse dark and light bands, found in the skeletal muscles and cardiac muscle, enabling voluntary movements.

Prone Position

A body posture where one lies flat with the chest down and the back up.