What is the primary advantage of operon organization in bacteria?

• A. It allows for coordinated regulation of multiple genes involved in a common pathway.
• B. It prevents the transcription of any genes in the absence of a promoter.
• C. It enables bacteria to produce more proteins than eukaryotic cells.
• D. It increases the mutation rate of bacterial genes.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of an operon: An operon is a cluster of genes under the control of a single promoter and is transcribed as a single mRNA strand. This organization is common in prokaryotes, such as bacteria.
2. Identify the function of an operon: The primary function of an operon is to regulate the expression of genes that are involved in a common metabolic pathway or function, allowing the cell to respond efficiently to environmental changes.
3. Consider the advantage of coordinated regulation: By having multiple genes controlled by a single promoter, bacteria can turn on or off the expression of all genes in the operon simultaneously, which is efficient for processes that require multiple enzymes or proteins.
4. Evaluate the options: The correct advantage of operon organization is that it allows for coordinated regulation of multiple genes involved in a common pathway, which is crucial for efficient cellular response and resource management.
5. Conclude with the primary advantage: The operon system is advantageous because it ensures that all necessary components of a pathway are produced together, preventing wasteful production of proteins that are not needed at a given time.