Question

Which of the following statements regarding transcription only applies to prokaryotes and not to eukaryotes?

a) Transcription occurs in the nucleus.
b) Transcription involves the synthesis of mRNA.
c) Transcription occurs in the cytoplasm.
d) Transcription is coupled with translation.

Answer 1

Statement d) 'Transcription is coupled with translation' applies only to prokaryotes, as they lack a nucleus, allowing for simultaneous transcription and translation in the cytoplasm.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that only applies to prokaryotes and not to eukaryotes is: d) Transcription is coupled with translation. In prokaryotes, there is no membrane-bound nucleus, which allows transcription and translation to occur simultaneously in the cytoplasm. This coupling enables a rapid response to environmental changes as translation can begin before transcription has fully terminated. In contrast, eukaryotic cells have a compartmentalized structure where transcription occurs inside the nucleus and translation takes place in the cytoplasm, separating these two processes.