Which type of cell allows transcription and translation to occur in the same compartment?

Which type of cell allows transcription and translation to occur in the same compartment?

• A. Eukaryotic cell
• B. Prokaryotic cell
• C. Plant cell
• D. Animal cell

Answer: (B)

Transcription and translation happening in the same compartment requires no nuclear boundary. Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus, so mRNA is made in the cytoplasm and immediately used by ribosomes for translation as it’s being transcribed. In contrast, eukaryotic cells—like plant and animal cells—keep transcription in the nucleus and translation in the cytoplasm, separated by the nuclear envelope, so the two processes don’t occur in the same compartment. Therefore, the type of cell that allows both processes in the same compartment is the prokaryotic cell.

Transcription and translation happening in the same compartment requires no nuclear boundary. Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus, so mRNA is made in the cytoplasm and immediately used by ribosomes for translation as it’s being transcribed. In contrast, eukaryotic cells—like plant and animal cells—keep transcription in the nucleus and translation in the cytoplasm, separated by the nuclear envelope, so the two processes don’t occur in the same compartment. Therefore, the type of cell that allows both processes in the same compartment is the prokaryotic cell.