A prokaryotic and a eukaryotic cell are shown. Which characteristic best distinguishes these cells as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic?
A. The role of the cell membrane
B. The organization of the genetic material
C. The function of the flagella
D. The location of the cytoplasm
B. The organization of the genetic material
Eukaryotic cells have their genetic material enclosed within a nucleus, while prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus and have their genetic material free-floating in the cytoplasm. This characteristic distinguishes the two types of cells as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic.