In eukaryotic cells, translation occurs primarily in which compartment?

In eukaryotic cells, translation occurs primarily in which compartment?

• A. Nucleus
• B. Mitochondria
• C. Cytoplasm (on ribosomes)
• D. Golgi apparatus

Answer: (C)

Translation in eukaryotic cells happens in the cytoplasm on ribosomes, including those attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum. After mRNA is transcribed in the nucleus and processed, it is exported to the cytoplasm where ribosomes read the mRNA and assemble amino acids into a polypeptide. Some translation occurs inside mitochondria on their own ribosomes, but the vast majority of cellular proteins are made in the cytoplasm, which is why this location is the correct answer. The nucleus houses transcription, not translation, and the Golgi apparatus handles post-translational modification and sorting rather than protein synthesis.

Translation in eukaryotic cells happens in the cytoplasm on ribosomes, including those attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum. After mRNA is transcribed in the nucleus and processed, it is exported to the cytoplasm where ribosomes read the mRNA and assemble amino acids into a polypeptide. Some translation occurs inside mitochondria on their own ribosomes, but the vast majority of cellular proteins are made in the cytoplasm, which is why this location is the correct answer. The nucleus houses transcription, not translation, and the Golgi apparatus handles post-translational modification and sorting rather than protein synthesis.