What is the Difference Between Operon and Cistron?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between an operon and a cistron lies in their structure and function. Here are the key differences:
- Structure: An operon is a functional unit of DNA that contains a group of genes under the control of a single promoter, while a cistron is a segment of DNA that encodes a single protein. An operon contains multiple structural genes (cistrons).
- Function: An operon is a regulatory system that allows for the coordinated expression of multiple genes, saving energy by transcribing multiple proteins at once. In contrast, a cistron is an individual gene that translates into a functional polypeptide.
- Transcription: An operon produces a polycistronic mRNA, which can be translated into separate proteins, while a cistron produces a monocistronic mRNA in eukaryotes, translating into a single protein.
In summary, an operon is a regulatory system consisting of multiple genes tightly regulated by a single promoter, while a cistron refers to a single gene and its associated functions. Operons are found primarily in bacteria and archaea, while cistrons are used as an alternative name for genes in all organisms.
Comparative Table: Operon vs Cistron
Here is a table comparing the differences between an operon and a cistron:
Feature | Operon | Cistron |
---|---|---|
Definition | An operon contains multiple structural genes (cistrons) under the control of a single promoter and operator. | A cistron is an alternative name for a single gene, consisting of one gene. |
Nature of mRNA | An operon produces a polycistronic mRNA. | A cistron produces a monocistronic mRNA in eukaryotes. |
Composition | An operon is composed of structural genes, operator, and promoter regions. | A cistron is composed of exons and introns. |
Function | Operons are used in metabolic pathways, such as synthesis of amino acids. | Cistron codes for a single protein. |
In summary, an operon is a regulatory system that consists of multiple structural genes (cistrons) under the influence of a single promoter and operator, while a cistron refers to a single gene with its associated regulatory elements.
Read more:
- Operon vs Regulon
- Inducible vs Repressible Operon
- Genetic Code vs Codon
- Monocistronic vs Polycistronic mRNA
- Lac vs Trp Operon
- Gene vs Chromosome
- Plasmid vs Transposon
- Introns vs Exons
- Start Codon vs Stop Codon
- Codon vs Anticodon
- ORF vs Exon
- Gene Expression in Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes
- Transposon vs Retrotransposon
- Plasmid vs Chromosome
- RNA vs mRNA
- Transcription vs Translation
- mRNA vs tRNA
- Gene vs Genome
- DNA Transposons vs Retrotransposons