Question

A rare mutation occurs in bacteria that alters the structure of the tryptophan repressor, altering its ability to bind tryptophan. How would this affect the function of the tryptophan operon?

2. A mutation in the 7-pass transmembrane protein causes continued activation of the G-protein responsible for activing a transcription factor that initiates protein synthesis in liver cells. How would this impact protein production in liver cells?

Answer 1

1. A rare mutation occurs in bacteria that alters the structure of tryptophan repressor which makes the inducing of the operon impossible. Therefore the operon will be inactivated all the time as the repressor which is responsible for binding to the operon when tryptophan is present is mutated. So even if the tryptophan is present the operon would not be functional.

2. There would be a continuous production of protein when not even required as the G protein continuously will induce the transcription factor which will initiate protein synthesis. It will impair the liver cells because it will produce tremendous amounts of proteins which the cell cannot withstand.