Where do the prokaryotic and eukaryotic protein syntheses primarily differ?Group of answer choicesRibosomesinitiator tRNAinitiationelongationtermination

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic protein synthesis primarily differ in the process of translation, which occurs in the ribosomes. Here are the step-by-step differences:

1. Ribosomes: In prokaryotes, protein synthesis occurs in the cytoplasm, where the ribosomes are free-floating. In eukaryotes, protein synthesis can occur in both the cytoplasm and the endoplasmic reticulum, where ribosomes are either free or attached.

2. Initiator tRNA: In prokaryotes, the initiator tRNA carries the amino acid formylmethionine (fMet), while in eukaryotes, it carries methionine (Met).

3. Initiation: In prokaryotes, initiation of protein synthesis involves the binding of the small ribosomal subunit to the mRNA, followed by the binding of the initiator tRNA to the start codon. In eukaryotes, initiation is more complex and involves the binding of several initiation factors and the small ribosomal subunit to the mRNA.

4. Elongation: During elongation, amino acids are added to the growing polypeptide chain. In prokaryotes, elongation occurs at a faster rate compared to eukaryotes. Additionally, prokaryotes can undergo simultaneous transcription and translation, allowing for more efficient protein synthesis.

5. Termination: In prokaryotes, termination occurs when a stop codon is reached, and the newly synthesized protein is released from the ribosome. In eukaryotes, termination involves the recognition of the stop codon by release factors, leading to the release of the polypeptide chain.

Overall, the primary differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic protein synthesis lie in the ribosomes, the initiator tRNA, the initiation process, the rate of elongation, and the termination process.