The operon hypothesis is the theory that a segment of similar genes function as a unit with either all

being read and executed or none. The mechanics of this are at their most basic rather simple, at the

beginning of the operon there is a promoter sequence onto which RNA polymerase binds a promoter to

begin transcription, and just downstream of the promoter sequence is an operator which is essentially

the on off switch for the DNA. The operator is turned on or off by the binding or removal of a

regulator. The regulator works through the lock and key model bonding to the operator when it fits and

falling off when it doesn't this creates two different types of regulation, or repression: inducible and

repressible. In inducible operons, the regulator is typically attached to the operator to begin with,

however if the regulators specific inducible molecule is present it will bind to the repressor changing its

shape and detaching it from the operator. This allows for the genes to be read as the polymerase is no

longer blocked by the regulator. An example of this is if a bacteria is growing on a media with no

lactose the enzymes necessary to break it down would be useless and so production of those enzymes

would waste energy, hence the repressor blocks the creation of those enzymes. However if lactose is

introduced to the media then it would bond with the repressor detaching it from the DNA allowing the

creation of enzymes to break down the lactose. Repressible operons are essentially the opposite of

inducible operons, with their regulators typically being separate and unbound, and when in the presence

of its corepressor they bond together and it can attach to the DNA halting enzyme production. This is a

very efficient means of regulation as it saves a great deal of energy by stopping the production of

unnecessary enzymes and their products, and by allowing for the quick adaption of prokaryotes to new

environments.