Where does transcription occur in prokaryotes versus eukaryotes?

• A. In prokaryotes, transcription occurs in the nucleus; in eukaryotes, it occurs in the cytoplasm.
• B. In prokaryotes, transcription occurs in the cytoplasm; in eukaryotes, it occurs in the nucleus.
• C. In prokaryotes, transcription occurs in mitochondria; in eukaryotes, in chloroplasts.
• D. Transcription occurs outside the cell for both.

Answer: (B)

Transcription location reflects how cells are organized. Prokaryotes lack a defined nucleus, so RNA polymerase copies DNA into RNA directly in the cytoplasm, and translation can begin on the same transcript right away. Eukaryotes keep transcription inside the nucleus, with RNA transcripts undergoing processing before they’re exported to the cytoplasm for translation. This distinction is what makes the statement about transcription happening in the cytoplasm for prokaryotes and in the nucleus for eukaryotes the best answer. The other options misplace transcription for one or both cell types, or suggest transcription occurs outside the cell, which isn’t correct.