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Multiple Choice
In the context of organic chemistry reactions, the binding of which complex increases the ability of RNA polymerase to transcribe the lac operon?
A
cAMP-CAP complex
B
LacZ-LacY complex
C
RNA polymerase-DNA complex
D
Lac repressor-operator complex
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the lac operon: The lac operon is a set of genes involved in lactose metabolism in E. coli. It is regulated by the presence or absence of lactose and glucose.
Identify the role of cAMP-CAP complex: The cAMP-CAP complex is a regulatory protein that binds to the promoter region of the lac operon, enhancing the binding of RNA polymerase and increasing transcription.
Consider the effect of glucose: When glucose levels are low, cAMP levels increase, leading to the formation of the cAMP-CAP complex, which facilitates the transcription of the lac operon.
Evaluate other complexes: The LacZ-LacY complex refers to proteins encoded by the lac operon, not regulatory elements. The RNA polymerase-DNA complex is necessary for transcription but is not specific to the lac operon regulation. The Lac repressor-operator complex inhibits transcription in the absence of lactose.
Conclude the role of cAMP-CAP: The cAMP-CAP complex is crucial for the positive regulation of the lac operon, especially in the absence of glucose, by enhancing RNA polymerase's ability to initiate transcription.