Question

A biochemist identifies a new toxin that closes the nuclear pores of a cell's nucleus. What cellular process would be disrupted by this toxin? Which one would not be? Briefly explain your answer either way.

Answer 1

Translation process would be disrupted by the toxin and transcription would not be affected.

Step-by-step explanation:

Transcription and translation are the two main processes which takes place in relation to the cell nucleus.

Transcription occurs within the nucleus. Translation occurs in the ribosomes in the cytoplasm but with the nuclear material exiting from the nucleus through the nuclear pores.

So when the toxin obstructs the nuclear pores, the transit of nuclear material to and from the nucleus is affected which in turn affects the translation process which begins after DNA is transcribed to RNA. Protein synthesis also gets affected if the nuclear pores are disrupted.

Answer 2

Transcription is a process that takes place inside the nucleus. Hence, the process of transcription would not be affected by the new toxin that closes the nuclear pores.

For the translation process to occur, the RNA has to be transported to ribosomes present in the cytoplasm. If the nuclear pores are closed by the toxins, then the RNA would not be able to travel to the cytoplasm. Hence, the process of translation will be affected by the new toxin.