Operator: in bacterialplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigBacteria: Single-celled organisms that also utilize DNA and the standard genetic code as all organisms on earth, but unlike eukaryotes do not have intracellular membranes and membrane-bound organelles. In this book we use bacteria and prokaryote interchangeably. genetics, an operator is a cisplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigCis and trans: In genetics, cis and trans are terms used to describe the relative physical locations of genes or genetic elements. If two genes are in cis, this means that they are physically located on the same DNA molecule. If two genes are in trans, this means that they are physically located on two different-acting genetic element that negatively regulates the expressionplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigExpression: a term used to describe the idea that the function of a gene is apparent and can be observed. Genes may not always be expressed all the time in all places. of nearby genesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigGene: read Chapters 02, 03, 04, 05, and 06 for a definition of gene :-). $lacO$ of the Lac operonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigLac operon: an operon in E. coli that contains the cis-acting regulatory elements $lacP$ and $lacO$, and the protein coding genes $lacZ$, $lacY$, and $lacA$. The Lac operon is an example of a negatively-regulated operon. is an example of an operator.