Question

The lactose present in the growth medium of bacteria is transported to the cell by the action of

• A. Beta-galactosidase
• B. Acetylase
• C. Permease
• D. Polymerase

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Bacterial cells absorb lactose from their growth medium via the enzyme Permease. This transport mechanism is integral to the lactose operon in bacteria like E. coli, which governs lactose metabolism. The key elements of this system are:

• Permease: Facilitates lactose entry into the bacterial cell by transporting it across the cell membrane for subsequent metabolism.
• Beta-galactosidase: Catalyzes the breakdown of lactose into glucose and galactose.
• Acetylase: A component of the operon with a less significant direct role in lactose metabolism compared to permease and beta-galactosidase.

In this context, Permease acts as the enzyme that imports lactose into the cell, making it accessible for subsequent enzymatic reactions and energy generation by the bacteria.