In which part of a prokaryotic cell does transcription take place?

In a prokaryotic cell, transcription—the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template—occurs in the cytoplasm. Unlike eukaryotic cells, prokaryotic cells do not have a well-defined nucleus; instead, their genetic material is located in a region called the nucleoid, which is not membrane-bound. This allows the RNA polymerase, the enzyme responsible for transcription, to directly interact with the DNA and synthesize RNA in the cytoplasmic environment. As soon as transcription is completed, translation (the next step in protein synthesis) can begin almost immediately since the ribosomes are also located in the cytoplasm. This juxtaposition facilitates a rapid response to environmental changes and resource availability, which is crucial for prokaryotic survival and adaptation.

In contrast, the other options mention structures or areas that are either not present in prokaryotic cells or not involved in transcription. Prokaryotes lack a nucleus (thus ruling out the nucleus), do not carry out transcription in mitochondria (as mitochondria are found in eukaryotic cells), and ribosomes are the sites of translation, not transcription.