Transcription and Translation Can Be Coupled in Bacteria but Not

Question

Transcription and translation can be coupled in bacteria but not eukaryotes because
A)no nuclear membrane exists in prokaryotes.
B)no nuclear membrane exists in eukaryotes.
C)the bacterial DNA is in a single chromosome.
D)eukaryotic chromosomes are found in nucleoids.

Accepted Answer

In bacteria (prokaryotes), the lack of a nuclear membrane allows transcription and translation to occur simultaneously, as the mRNA being transcribed from DNA can immediately be translated by ribosomes. In contrast, eukaryotes have a nuclear membrane that separates transcription (in the nucleus) from translation (in the cytoplasm), preventing their coupling.