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)
Observation 1
observation 2
observation 3
observation 4
Observation 3 supports the student's conclusion that the species is a prokaryote because prokaryotes do not have membrane-bound organelles.
The observation that supports the student's conclusion that the species is a prokaryote is observation 3 - "No membrane bound organelles." Prokaryotes are known for lacking membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria, chloroplasts, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus, which are present in eukaryotic cells.
The student can conclude that the species is a prokaryote based on Observation 3: "No membrane-bound organelles."
Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms that lack membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria, chloroplasts, or a nucleus. Instead, their genetic material floats freely in the cytoplasm. Observation 3 indicates that the cells being observed do not possess any membrane-bound organelles, suggesting that they are prokaryotic cells.