Operon

PhET Simulation

Gene Machine: The Lac Operon

In this video Paul Andersen describes the elements of an operon. The promoter allows the RNA polymerase to transcribe the required genes. The operator and repressor regulate the expression of the genes by blocking the RNA polymerase. The genes for a specific task are all located in sequence so that they can all be transcribed at once. He starts be describing how the lac operon can be initiated to break down lactose. He then explains how the trp operon can be activated to create tryptophan. He ends with a simulation of the lac operon.

Intro Music Atribution
Artist: CosmicD
Creative Commons Atribution License

All images are either Public Domain or Creative Commons Attribution Licenses:

[rico]

I swear these college professors purposely make these topics way more confusing than they need to be to boost their egos. This guys explanation is 1000x better....thank you sir

[earthtonejon]

I'm a medical student without a strong background in genetics. Your explanation was far better than the explanation given by multiple medical school professors.

[orangecaprinun]

if Bozeman science has a video about a given topic, you can bet it's the best one! Thank you so much for these videos

[paulinagiezek]

I'm from Poland and English is not my first language, but actually I understood more while watching this film in English than at school in Polish where we have spent hours to understand this. Thank you so much! ;)

[lauddles]

Gotta tell you, PROG saved me. It is pretty much the only way I can remember how operons work. Hope I can remember it for the test on monday :)

[ellieneretlis]

lifesaver! i have a test today and had no idea what this concept was about and now it seems so simple! you'll be the person getting me through my final exams!

[nolanbronkema]

Watched a lot of your videos in AP Biology in High school and still watch them in college to refresh! Thanks a lot!

[telatti]

hi, med student from PROG here :D <3
thank you, Mr. Andersen!

[leacafe]

Monsieur Bozeman, vos vidéos (qui datent déjà de plus de sept ans !) sont le meilleur compagnon de mes cours de biologie. Merci !

[itsnataliewbu]

Im german and understood this animation better than when my biology teacher explained it...thank you so much!!

[playboyivan]

You made college General Genetics as easy as high school genetics. Which is a good thing! Thank you. 

[stephaniebullock]

I spent hours trying to understand this process by reading the textbook and within 10 minutes of watching this video it all makes sense now. I am so glad I discovered your videos, hopefully will save me a lot of headache and stress during my 8 week Microbiology class.

[ag.shoaff]

you've literally saved my grade in AP Bio

[Bbita]

Dear Mr. Andersen,
You are my you don't understand how much I love biology that I found your videos. You Rock!!
-Loyal youtube student :)

[LuarLucarios]

Inducer process. It's called an inducer because lac induces the operon. (Process reduces lac in the end).

Vs.

Repressor process. It's called a repressor because it represses the operon in the presence tryptophan. (Process creates trp in the beginning)

[dhiaawad]

thank you so much. I have a final exam next week. i feel so confident now. God bless you.

[shrutichakravarty]

Mr. Paul your videos its sort of difficult for me to understand biology...
thank u so much!!U ROCK!!!!

[avelinamaier]

this is way better than the book these videos have blessed my existence THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

[allisondevin]

My bio class has killed me this year. You literally just helped me so much! All hail Bozeman!

[maharshichakraborty]

I am a 12th grader from India. Operon had been killing me since the first term You are a life saver. Thank you so much!