A prokaryotic and a eukaryotic cell are shown. Which characteristic best distinguishes these cells as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic?

Question

The role of the cell membrane

The organization of the genetic material

The function of the flagella

The location of the cytoplasm

Answer 1

The organization of the genetic material is the characteristic that best distinguishes prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells have a non-membrane bound nucleus where the DNA is located in the cytoplasm as a single circular chromosome, while eukaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus containing linear chromosomes.