Given below are two statements : Statement I: In the lac operon, the z gene codes for beta-galactosidase…
Given below are two statements :
Statement I: In the lac operon, the z gene codes for beta-galactosidase which is primarily responsible for the hydrolysis of lactose into galactose and glucose.
Statement II: In addition to lactose, glucose or galactose can also induce lac operon.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :
Statement I is true but Statement II is false
Statement I is false but Statement II is true
Both Statement I and Statement II are true
Both Statement I and Statement II are false
Solution
In the lac operon the $\mathbf{z}$ - gene codes for $\beta$-galactosidase which is primarily responsible for the hydrolysis of lactose into its monomeric units, galactose and glucose.
Glucose and galactose cannot act as the inducers of lac operon. Rather, lactose or allolactose act as inducers of lac operon.