The trp operon was originally identified in Escherichia coli. The trp operon has five structural genes: trpE, trpD, trpC, trpB, and trpA. These genes code for proteins which help a cell produce the amino acid tryptophan.
The diagram shows the order of the genes found in the trp operon. The dotted lines represent the DNA nucleotides between the genes.
1. What is an operon?
2. Identify regions X and Y
3. Identify the region to which RNA polymerase binds to
4. Explain how the trp operon functions when tryptophan levels are low