Question

Choose the correct statement for cII gene and its related function?

(a) The transcription is extended to the region of cII gene and it is termed as late transcription

(b) They are responsible for deactivating the promoter for repressor establishment

(c) This promoter is responsible to decide whether the life cycle would be lysogenic or lytic

(d) cII gene is responsible for other gene which is gene cIII

The question was asked during an interview for a job.

The above asked question is from Bacteriophage Lambda topic in portion Other Vector Systems for E of Genetic Engineering

Answer 1

Right option is (c) This promoter is responsible to decide whether the life cycle would be lysogenic or lytic

To explain I would say: The cII gene product is formed when the transcription is extended because of the overriding of terminators by the N gene. It is responsible for activation of a promoter for repressor establishment. This promoter is responsible for deciding whether it would be in lysogenic or lytic mode. The transcripts formed by extension are called as delayed early transcripts and cIII is also produced along with cII.