Chapter 14, Problem 15CONQ

As described in Chapter 13, enzymes known as aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are responsible for attaching amino acids to tRNAs. Let’s suppose that in a mutant bacterium tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase has a reduced ability to attach tryptophan to tRNA: its activity is only 10% of that found in a normal bacterium. How would attenuation of the trp operon be affected? Would the operon be more or less likely to be attenuated? Explain your answer.