Prokaryotic Protein Synthesis vs. Eukaryotic Protein Synthesis: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Prokaryotic protein synthesis occurs in the cytoplasm with simultaneous transcription and translation, while eukaryotic protein synthesis involves separate transcription in the nucleus and translation in the cytoplasm.
Key Differences
Prokaryotic protein synthesis occurs in the cytoplasm and is characterized by coupled transcription and translation. Eukaryotic protein synthesis, however, involves separate transcription in the nucleus and translation in the cytoplasm.
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Dec 22, 2023
In prokaryotes, protein synthesis begins even before mRNA transcription is complete. In eukaryotes, mRNA undergoes extensive processing, including splicing, before translation.
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Dec 22, 2023
Ribosomes in prokaryotic protein synthesis are smaller (70S) compared to the larger (80S) ribosomes in eukaryotic protein synthesis.
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Dec 22, 2023
Prokaryotic protein synthesis is generally faster due to its simplicity and lack of compartmentalization. Eukaryotic protein synthesis is more complex and slower, involving multiple steps.
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Dec 22, 2023
In prokaryotes, the initiation of protein synthesis starts with a formyl-methionine amino acid. In eukaryotes, it begins with a methionine amino acid.
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Dec 22, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Transcription and Translation
Coupled, simultaneous
Separate, distinct stages
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Dec 22, 2023
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Prokaryotic Protein Synthesis and Eukaryotic Protein Synthesis Definitions
Prokaryotic Protein Synthesis
It involves the simultaneous transcription and translation of genetic information.
The efficiency of prokaryotic protein synthesis allows bacteria to rapidly adapt.
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Dec 13, 2023
Eukaryotic Protein Synthesis
It begins with the amino acid methionine.
Methionine marks the start of eukaryotic protein synthesis in synthesizing new proteins.
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Dec 13, 2023
Prokaryotic Protein Synthesis
Prokaryotic protein synthesis is the process of building proteins in prokaryotic cells.
In bacteria, prokaryotic protein synthesis is vital for quick response to environmental changes.
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Dec 13, 2023
Eukaryotic Protein Synthesis
It involves separate transcription in the nucleus and translation in the cytoplasm.
The separation of transcription and translation adds complexity to eukaryotic protein synthesis.
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Dec 13, 2023
Prokaryotic Protein Synthesis
Prokaryotic protein synthesis utilizes smaller 70S ribosomes.
The small ribosomes in prokaryotic protein synthesis enable faster protein production.
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Dec 13, 2023
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Eukaryotic Protein Synthesis
This process includes extensive mRNA processing before translation.
MRNA splicing is a crucial step in eukaryotic protein synthesis, ensuring correct protein structure.
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Dec 13, 2023
Prokaryotic Protein Synthesis
It starts with the amino acid formyl-methionine.
The initiation of prokaryotic protein synthesis is marked by the addition of formyl-methionine.
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Dec 13, 2023
Eukaryotic Protein Synthesis
Eukaryotic protein synthesis is the process of protein formation in eukaryotic cells.
In human cells, eukaryotic protein synthesis is essential for cell growth and repair.
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Dec 13, 2023
Prokaryotic Protein Synthesis
This synthesis is a continuous, streamlined process in the cytoplasm.
Prokaryotic protein synthesis seamlessly integrates gene expression and protein manufacturing.
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Dec 13, 2023
Eukaryotic Protein Synthesis
Eukaryotic protein synthesis uses larger 80S ribosomes.
The larger ribosomes in eukaryotic protein synthesis facilitate diverse protein production.
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Dec 13, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Why is prokaryotic protein synthesis faster?
It's faster due to its simplicity and the coupling of transcription and translation.
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Dec 22, 2023
What is prokaryotic protein synthesis?
It's the process of protein formation in prokaryotic cells, involving simultaneous transcription and translation.
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Dec 22, 2023
What is the role of mRNA in eukaryotic protein synthesis?
mRNA undergoes processing like splicing in the nucleus before being translated in the cytoplasm.
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Dec 22, 2023
How are the ribosomes different in prokaryotic and eukaryotic protein synthesis?
Prokaryotic ribosomes are 70S, smaller than the 80S ribosomes in eukaryotic cells.
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Dec 22, 2023
Can eukaryotic cells perform prokaryotic protein synthesis?
No, eukaryotic cells have a distinct and separate process for protein synthesis.
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Dec 22, 2023
How does the location of protein synthesis differ between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
In prokaryotes, it occurs in the cytoplasm, whereas in eukaryotes, transcription is in the nucleus and translation in the cytoplasm.
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Dec 22, 2023
What initiates protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells?
It begins with the amino acid methionine.
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Dec 22, 2023
What initiates protein synthesis in prokaryotic cells?
Protein synthesis in prokaryotic cells begins with the amino acid formyl-methionine.
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Dec 22, 2023
What is eukaryotic protein synthesis?
It's the protein formation process in eukaryotic cells, with separate transcription and translation.
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Dec 22, 2023
Is there post-translational modification in prokaryotic protein synthesis?
Post-translational modifications are less common in prokaryotes compared to eukaryotes.
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Dec 22, 2023
Are prokaryotic and eukaryotic protein synthesis processes similar?
While they share some basic mechanisms, the processes have significant differences.
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Dec 22, 2023
Can viruses hijack eukaryotic protein synthesis?
Yes, viruses can hijack the eukaryotic protein synthesis machinery to replicate their proteins.
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Dec 22, 2023
What is the significance of separate transcription and translation in eukaryotes?
It allows for more regulation and complexity in eukaryotic protein synthesis.
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Dec 22, 2023
How does the efficiency of protein synthesis compare between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
Prokaryotic protein synthesis is generally more efficient due to its simpler, coupled process.
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Dec 22, 2023
What is the role of the Golgi apparatus in eukaryotic protein synthesis?
The Golgi apparatus modifies and sorts proteins after they are synthesized in eukaryotic cells.
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Dec 22, 2023
How do prokaryotic cells regulate protein synthesis?
Prokaryotic cells regulate protein synthesis through feedback mechanisms and gene expression control.
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Dec 22, 2023
Is mRNA processing a part of prokaryotic protein synthesis?
No, mRNA processing like splicing is not a part of prokaryotic protein synthesis.
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Dec 22, 2023
How does the cellular environment affect protein synthesis in prokaryotes?
The cellular environment in prokaryotes allows for a quick response to environmental changes through rapid protein synthesis.
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Dec 22, 2023
Do antibiotics affect prokaryotic protein synthesis?
Many antibiotics target prokaryotic protein synthesis, disrupting bacterial growth.
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Dec 22, 2023
Are there any similarities in the ribosomes of prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
Both types of ribosomes perform the same basic function of protein synthesis, despite structural differences.
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Dec 22, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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