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Transcription and Translation · USMLE Step 1

Which statement best explains why translation can begin on a bacterial mRNA even while it is still being transcribed?

  1. Bacteria splice introns during translation
  2. Bacterial mRNA is polyadenylated before translation
  3. Transcription and translation both occur in the cytoplasm and can be coupled
  4. Bacteria have no ribosomes, so translation waits until transcription completes
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Correct answer: Transcription and translation both occur in the cytoplasm and can be coupled

In prokaryotes, transcription and translation both occur in the cytoplasm, with no nuclear compartment. Thus ribosomes can begin translating mRNA even before transcription is finished, allowing coupling of both processes.

Difficulty: Medium Question 11 of 22

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