Final answer:
Prokaryotic cells perform co-transcriptional translation in the cytoplasm due to the lack of a membrane-bound nucleus, while eukaryotic cells transcribe DNA into mRNA in the nucleus and then transport it to the cytoplasm for translation. Eukaryotic mRNAs usually specify a single protein and multiple RNA polymerases are involved in the process. Both cell types use transcription factors, activators, and repressors for gene regulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The comparison between prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription reveals some key distinctions. Prokaryotes, which lack a membrane-bound nucleus, undergo co-transcriptional translation; this means that transcription and translation can occur almost simultaneously in the cytoplasm. In contrast, eukaryotes, which have a membrane-bound nucleus, must first transcribe DNA into mRNA within the nucleus, after which the mRNA is transported to the cytoplasm for translation. It is crucial to note that for eukaryotes, this process is not co-transcriptional: transcription and translation are separate events. Furthermore, eukaryotic cells utilize multiple RNA polymerases, and their mRNAs typically specify a single protein. In both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, gene expression is regulated by transcription factors, activators, and repressors that bind to DNA and influence transcription.