What is the role of permease in lactose metabolism?

The role of permease in lactose metabolism is to transport lactose into the cell. In the context of the lac operon, permease is a membrane protein that facilitates the uptake of lactose from the extracellular environment. Once inside the cell, lactose can then be metabolized by the enzyme beta-galactosidase, which breaks it down into glucose and galactose, making it available for cellular energy production.

This transport function is crucial for organisms that utilize lactose as a sugar source, ensuring that the substrate necessary for metabolism enters the cell efficiently. By functioning as a transporter, permease plays an essential role in allowing bacteria to adapt to environments where lactose is available, allowing for better resource utilization and survival.