An operon is a cluster of genes under the control of a single promoter, allowing for the coordinated regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes. This arrangement enables bacteria to efficiently manage resources by turning on or off groups of genes in response to environmental changes, thus optimizing their metabolic processes. The operon model is essential in understanding how genes are expressed and regulated, showcasing the relationship between gene organization and functional expression.
congrats on reading the definition of Operon. now let's actually learn it.