Imagine that you discover a new operon, called the hfc operon. This operon includes a series of structural genes: hfc A, hfc B, and hfc C. Each of these structural genes encodes an enzyme. These enzymes are involved in a metabolic pathway that results in the production of Molecule X. The gene hfc q, which is found outside of the operon, encodes Protein Q. When Molecule X binds to Protein Q, Protein Q binds to the operator of the hfc operon. When Protein Q binds to the operator, the structural genes of the operon are not transcribed. In the absence of Molecule X, Protein Q cannot bind to the operator, and the structural genes of the operon are transcribed. Required:
Is the hfc operon inducible or repressible?