Which of the following is a characteristic of a prokaryotic cell?
options:
a. has a nucleus and membrane bound organelles
b. small relative to eukaryotic cells
c. undergoes mitosis for cell division
d. usually multicellular
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is b. small relative to eukaryotic cells.
Prokaryotic cells are typically much smaller than eukaryotic cells. Their size ranges from about 0.1 to 5.0 micrometers in diameter. This is in contrast to eukaryotic cells, which are generally larger, with a size range of about 10 to 100 micrometers. The small size of prokaryotic cells contributes to their simplicity and efficiency, especially in terms of nutrient and waste exchange across their cell membranes.
Prokaryotic cells are characterized by the absence of a true nucleus. Instead, their genetic material is located in a region of the cell called the nucleoid, which is not enclosed by a membrane. Additionally, prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum, which are found in eukaryotic cells.
In terms of cell division, prokaryotic cells reproduce through binary fission, not mitosis. Binary fission is a simpler process where the DNA is replicated, and the cell divides into two identical daughter cells. Mitosis, on the other hand, is a more complex process that occurs in eukaryotic cells to ensure the equal distribution of chromosomes to the daughter cells.
Finally, prokaryotic cells are usually unicellular organisms. While some prokaryotes can form colonies, they do not form multicellular structures with differentiated tissues, as seen in eukaryotic organisms like plants and animals. Therefore, the characteristic that best describes prokaryotic cells in this question is their small size relative to eukaryotic cells.