Which of the following statements is accurate about transcription in prokaryotes?

In prokaryotes, transcription involves synthesizing RNA from a DNA template, and this process occurs in the cytoplasm since prokaryotic cells lack a defined nucleus. The specificity of transcription termination is crucial; it occurs when RNA polymerase reaches a terminator sequence in the DNA. This terminator sequence instructs the RNA polymerase to stop transcription and release the newly synthesized RNA molecule.

This process is significant because it is part of the overall gene expression regulation in prokaryotes, allowing the organism to efficiently respond to environmental changes. Unlike eukaryotic transcription, where additional processing steps such as capping and polyadenylation occur, prokaryotic mRNA is generally ready for translation immediately after transcription.

In contrast, prokaryotic genes typically do not contain introns, meaning they do not require splicing. This lack of introns is why RNA splicing is not necessary in prokaryotes. Additionally, the absence of a nucleus in prokaryotic cells means transcription cannot occur in a subcellular compartment like it does in eukaryotes. Thus, the accurate statement about transcription in prokaryotes is that it terminates at a specific terminator sequence.