Final answer:
Transcription and translation can be coupled in prokaryotic cells like bacteria, where translation begins while transcription is still ongoing, but in eukaryotic cells, these processes are separated with transcription occurring in the nucleus and translation in the cytoplasm.
Step-by-step explanation:
The answer to the question is true. In prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria, the processes of transcription and translation can be coupled. This means that translation can begin while transcription is still in progress. This coupling is feasible because both processes occur in the cytoplasm since prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus. For instance, in the His operon, which is involved in amino acid metabolism, transcription and translation occur simultaneously. Multiple polymerases can transcribe a single bacterial gene, and numerous ribosomes can concurrently translate the mRNA transcripts into polypeptides, thereby rapidly increasing the concentration of a specific protein in the bacterial cell.
In contrast, in eukaryotic cells, transcription occurs inside the nucleus and translation takes place in the cytoplasm or associated with the rough endoplasmic reticulum. This separation means that transcription and translation are not coupled in eukaryotes, and the mRNA must undergo processing before it is transported to the cytoplasm for translation.