Chapter 16.1, Problem 1R

Summary Introduction

To review:

Five mechanisms that the cell could use to reduce the activity of Xase in the absence of sugar X.

Introduction:

The prokaryotes synthesize the proteins only when their need arises. This is carried out by shutting off the mechanisms, through which the proteins are synthesized. The prokaryotes do this to save energy as well as resources and channel them to some other productive activities that would help them to survive in the changing environments. For example, a prokaryotic cell can metabolize sugar “X,” using the enzyme “Xase.” When there is a low concentration of X in the environment, there is a low activity of Xase in the cells; but when the X concentration is high, the activity of Xase is also high.