Translation in Prokaryotes
- Prokaryotic cells have a less complex ultrastructure than eukaryotic cells
- Eukaryote cells are divided up into membrane-bound compartments called organelles
- Transcription and translation happen in different compartments because ribosomes are separated from the nucleus
- The lack of a nucleus is a defining cellular feature of prokaryotes, allowing transcription and translation to take place in the same compartment
- Translation can occur immediately after transcription due to the absence of a nuclear membrane
- Both processes proceed simultaneously and likely in a coupled fashion
- Translation starts even before the mRNA has finished being transcribed from the DNA
Transcription and translation occur simultaneously in prokaryotes due to the absence of a nuclear membrane. Ribosomes start translating the mRNA whilst it is still being synthesised.