OPERON Definition & Meaning

operon

[ op-uh-ron ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Genetics.

a set of two or more adjacent cistrons whose transcription is under the coordinated control of a promoter, an operator, and a regulator gene.

operon

/ ˈɒ��əˌ��ɒ�� /

noun

genetics a group of adjacent genes in bacteria functioning as a unit, consisting of structural genes and an operator

operon

/ ŏ��′ə-��ŏ��′ /

A sequence of genetic material that functions in a coordinated manner, consisting of an operator, a promoter, and one or more structural genes that are transcribed together. Operons were first found in prokaryotes.

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of operon¹

1960–65; < French �Ǳ�é��ǲ�, equivalent to �Ǳ�é�� ( er ) to work, operate + -on -on ¹

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of operon¹

C20: from operate

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Monod called one such gene module an operon.*

From

Greater per-genome rRNA operon copy number has been found to be associated with rapid maximum growth rates29, which may provide a selective advantage when resources are abundant, such as in animal hosts.

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In 1957, Pardee, Monod, and Jacob discovered that the lactose operon was controlled by a single master switch—a protein eventually called the repressor.

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Pardee, Jacob, and Monod published their monumental study on the lactose operon in 1959, six years after the Watson and Crick paper on the structure of DNA.

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