IB DP Biology: HL复习笔记7.3.3 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.