Which of the following is a characteristic of protein synthesis in prokaryotes?
a: in prokaryotes, transcription and translation occur simultaneously.
b: in prokaryotes, transcription occurs only after translation is completed.
c: in prokaryotes, translation occurs only after transcription is completed.

The correct answer is option A: "In prokaryotes, transcription and translation occur simultaneously".

Explanation:

Since prokaryotes do not have a nucleus, transcription and translation occur simultaneously in the cytoplasm. The two processes are coupled and this helps prokaryotes by producing proteins more efficiently, and faster in situations of need such as during replication or when it faces an environmental challenge.