What is the specific site for transcription and translation in cells?
I always thought transcription took place in the nucleus, and translation in the cytoplasm but my homework says they’re in the same place.
Hello cinnamox!
At first glance, it seems that there’s something wrong with your homework question. You’re right. For eukaryotic cells with a nuclear membrane separating the genome from the cytosol, transcription takes place ONLY in the nucleus and translation takes place ONLY in the cytoplasm after the mRNA transcript migrates out of the nucleus and towards a ribosome suspended either in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum.
HOWEVER, before you answer your homework question, consider this possibility:
Maybe it’s referring to a prokaryotic cell! In prokaryotes, there is NO nuclear membrane, and in fact, transcription and translation take place simultaneously. As the mRNA transcript comes off of the bacterial chromosome, ribosomes attach to it and begin translation even before transcription has completed. In this case, yes, transcription and translation do occur in the same place!
Let me know if you need any additional clarification.
I hope this makes sense!
February 9th, 2010 at 5:28 am
I agree with you, transcription is in the nucleus, then the mRNA goes to the ribosome in the cytoplasm where translation takes place.
Good Luck!
References :
February 9th, 2010 at 5:53 am
you r right! transcription involves the transfer of the information from a DNA gene’s base sequence to the complementary base sequence of mRNA molecule. Since DNA never leaves nucleus the process take s place in the nucleus. where as Translation takes place in Cytoplasm which involves the mRNAs, tRNAs and rRNAs.
References :
February 9th, 2010 at 6:01 am
Hello cinnamox!
At first glance, it seems that there’s something wrong with your homework question. You’re right. For eukaryotic cells with a nuclear membrane separating the genome from the cytosol, transcription takes place ONLY in the nucleus and translation takes place ONLY in the cytoplasm after the mRNA transcript migrates out of the nucleus and towards a ribosome suspended either in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum.
HOWEVER, before you answer your homework question, consider this possibility:
Maybe it’s referring to a prokaryotic cell! In prokaryotes, there is NO nuclear membrane, and in fact, transcription and translation take place simultaneously. As the mRNA transcript comes off of the bacterial chromosome, ribosomes attach to it and begin translation even before transcription has completed. In this case, yes, transcription and translation do occur in the same place!
Let me know if you need any additional clarification.
I hope this makes sense!
References :