Final answer:
In eukaryotic cells, transcription occurs in the nucleus where DNA is transcribed into RNA. This RNA is then transported to the cytoplasm, where ribosomes translate it into protein. The separation of these processes allows for complex regulation and processing of gene expression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Eukaryotic Cells: Protein Synthesis
In eukaryotic cells, the complex processes of protein synthesis occur in specific locations. The genetic material, chromosomal DNA, is housed within the nucleus where transcription takes place. This involves copying the DNA's information into messenger RNA (mRNA). Once mRNA is synthesized, it is processed and exits the nucleus to enter the cytoplasm. In the cytoplasm, ribosomes, which are the sites of protein synthesis, translate the mRNA into a polypeptide chain, creating proteins.
Separating transcription and translation allows for additional regulation of gene expression, which can be advantageous for eukaryotic cells. This separation means that various modifications, including RNA splicing and the addition of a 5' cap and poly-A tail, can occur before mRNA is translated into a protein. However, in prokaryotic cells, the absence of a nucleus allows for transcription and translation to occur simultaneously, which can be advantageous for a rapid response to environmental changes.