operon

[ op-uh-ron ]

nounGenetics.
  1. a set of two or more adjacent cistrons whose transcription is under the coordinated control of a promoter, an operator, and a regulator gene.

Origin of operon

1
1960–65; <French opéron, equivalent to opér(er) to work, operate + -on-on1

Words Nearby operon

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British Dictionary definitions for operon

operon

/ (ˈɒpəˌrɒn) /


noun
  1. genetics a group of adjacent genes in bacteria functioning as a unit, consisting of structural genes and an operator

Origin of operon

1
C20: from operate

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for operon

operon

[ ŏpə-rŏn′ ]


  1. A sequence of genetic material that functions in a coordinated manner, consisting of an operator, a promoter, and one or more structural genes that are transcribed together. Operons were first found in prokaryotes.

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