Which of the following describes the fundamental difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells? A. Prokaryotic cells do no
t have a true nucleus or membrane-bound organelles. B. Eukaryotic cells are the only type of cells that can possess a cell wall. C. Prokaryotic cells are all viruses and rely on the infection of a host cell to replicate. D. Eukaryotic cells are only found in protists, bacteria, and viruses.
The correct answer is option (A) Prokaryotic cells do not have a true nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.
Cells are classified into prokaryotes and eukaryotes based on the presence of nucleus and membrane- bound organelles. Prokaryotic cells are the primitive cells that lack a well defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. The genetic material is in the central region of the cell called the nucleoid. They include the bacteria and the archaea. Eukaryotic cells are the cells which have a true nucleus or a well defined nucleus and all the membrane bound organelles. They include the protists, fungi, plants and animals.
Prokaryotic cells also possess a cell wall, viruses are neither prokaryotes nor eukaryotes and bacteria are prokaryotic. Hence the basic difference between the prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells is that the prokaryotic cell do not have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
