A student observed cells of a familiar species under a microscope. Analyze the observations the student recorded in the chart below. 1. Ribosomes are present. 2. Genetic material is present. 3. No membrane bound organelles. 4. Cell wall is present. Which of the following observations supports the student’s conclusion that the species is a prokaryote? (1 point)
The observation that supports the student's conclusion that the species is a prokaryote is: "No membrane bound organelles." Prokaryotes are characterized by the absence of membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria or a nucleus.
The observation that supports the student's conclusion that the species is a prokaryote is:
3. No membrane-bound organelles.
Prokaryotes, such as bacteria, do not have membrane-bound organelles like eukaryotes do. They lack structures such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and nucleus. Instead, their genetic material is usually found in a singular circular DNA molecule in the cytoplasm, and various metabolic processes occur within the cytoplasm.
To determine whether the species is a prokaryote based on the observations, we need to understand the characteristics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
1. Ribosomes are present: Ribosomes are present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, so this observation does not provide conclusive evidence.
2. Genetic material is present: Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells contain genetic material, such as DNA. This observation does not provide definitive proof either.
3. No membrane-bound organelles: This observation indicates that the species lacks organelles like mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, or Golgi apparatus, which are commonly found in eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells do not have membrane-bound organelles, so this observation suggests that the species might be a prokaryote.
4. Cell wall is present: The presence of a cell wall also suggests that the species could be a prokaryote. While some eukaryotic cells, like plant cells, also have a cell wall, in the context of the given observations, the presence of a cell wall supports the possibility of the species being a prokaryote.
Based on the observations, the absence of membrane-bound organelles and the presence of a cell wall are the most significant characteristics that suggest the species is a prokaryote. Therefore, the correct answer is observation 3 (No membrane-bound organelles).