Question

Prokaryotic organisms have a single origin of replication, whereas eukaryotic organisms have many origins where replication occurs simultaneously. Which of the following is the most probable reason for this observation?
Prokaryotic DNA is much smaller than eukaryotic DNA.
Prokaryotes do not replicate their DNA.
Prokaryotic DNA is single-stranded.
Prokaryotic DNA is replicated more slowly than eukaryotic DNA.

Answer 1

The correct answer is: Prokaryotic DNA is much smaller than eukaryotic DNA.

The first difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic genome is its structure and complexity: Prokaryotic cells have a small amount of DNA in the form of a single, circular chromosome located in the cytoplasm, while eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and DNA arranged in multiple, linear chromosomes in it; eukaryotic cell has about 25 times more DNA than a prokaryotic cell. Differences in replication between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells:

• point of origin

• direction- replication occurs in two opposing directions in prokaryotes while in eukaryotes it is unidirectional

• polymerases- in prokaryotes there are only one or two enzymes polymerases, while in eukaryotes four or more

• faster rate in prokaryotic cells.