What are the major differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene expression?

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Prokaryotic gene expression
Eukaryotic gene expression

Prokaryotic gene expression is the mechanism of synthesizing a gene in relation to the information encoded in prokaryotic genes
process of synthesizing a functional gene product depending on the information on eukaryotic genes

Occurs in the cytoplasm
Transcription occurs in the nucleus and translation occurs in the cytoplasm

Prokaryotic DNA is not in permanently condensed form
Forms a stable condensed complex with histones present

Transcription and translation occur at the same time
Transcription and translation occur at slightly different times

Uses a single RNA polymerase  
Uses RNA polymerase I, II, and III

Introns don’t interfere with the open reading frame
Introns interfere with the open reading frame

Contain three promoter elements: one upstream towards the gene, one 10 nucleotides downstream, and one 35 nucleotides downstream
Uses the TATA box as its promotor element

Does not include post-transcriptional modifications
Includes post-transcriptional modifications

Prokaryotic genes occur in operons
Eukaryotic genes occur individually

Prokaryotic gene expression	Eukaryotic gene expression
Prokaryotic gene expression is the mechanism of synthesizing a gene in relation to the information encoded in prokaryotic genes	process of synthesizing a functional gene product depending on the information on eukaryotic genes
Occurs in the cytoplasm	Transcription occurs in the nucleus and translation occurs in the cytoplasm
Prokaryotic DNA is not in permanently condensed form	Forms a stable condensed complex with histones present
Transcription and translation occur at the same time	Transcription and translation occur at slightly different times
Uses a single RNA polymerase	Uses RNA polymerase I, II, and III
Introns don’t interfere with the open reading frame	Introns interfere with the open reading frame
Contain three promoter elements: one upstream towards the gene, one 10 nucleotides downstream, and one 35 nucleotides downstream	Uses the TATA box as its promotor element
Does not include post-transcriptional modifications	Includes post-transcriptional modifications
Prokaryotic genes occur in operons	Eukaryotic genes occur individually

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