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)
Responses

Observation 1
Observation 1

Observation 2
Observation 2

Observation 3
Observation 3

Observation 4
Observation 3. No membrane-bound organelles. Prokaryotes do not have membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotes do. Therefore, the absence of membrane-bound organelles supports the conclusion that the species is a prokaryote.
The observation that supports the student's conclusion that the species is a prokaryote is Observation 3 - "No membrane bound organelles." Prokaryotes are characterized by the absence of membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus.
The observation that supports the student's conclusion that the species is a prokaryote is Observation 3: "No membrane bound organelles."
To understand why this observation supports the conclusion, we need to know the difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms that do not have a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles, whereas eukaryotes are organisms that have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Observation 3 states that there are no membrane-bound organelles. This means that the cells being observed do not have structures like mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, or Golgi apparatus. These organelles are typically found in eukaryotic cells, but not in prokaryotic cells. Therefore, the absence of membrane-bound organelles supports the conclusion that the observed cells are prokaryotic.