OPERON OVERDRIVE: THE LAC SWITCH Game

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🧬 Operon Overdrive: The Lac Switch

Master the most heavily tested concept in molecular biology! Analyze the cellular environment and the genotype, then instantly predict the expression level of the lac operon.

• 🔴 OFF: Repressor is bound. (Happens when Lactose is ABSENT).
• 🟡 BASAL (Low): Repressor is removed, but no CAP-cAMP. (Happens when Lactose is PRESENT, but Glucose is also PRESENT).
• 🟢 HIGH (Max): Repressor removed AND CAP-cAMP bound! (Happens when Lactose is PRESENT, and Glucose is ABSENT).
• 🚨 EXAM TRAP MUTANTS:
  • lacI(s) = Super-repressor. It NEVER falls off. Transcription is ALWAYS OFF.
  • lacO(c) = Operator mutant. Repressor CANNOT bind. It will transcribe even without Lactose!

Score 0

Combo x1

Time 30

Glc: HIGH

Lac: LOW

WT

System Ready. Awaiting Initialization.