A microbiologist examines two cells under TEM. One has DNA loose in the cytoplasm with no internal membranes; the other has DNA enclosed in a double membrane and several distinct compartments. The instructor asks the student to identify the most defining difference.
What is the MOST diagnostic structural difference between the two cell types depicted?
- Acheck_circle
The eukaryote has membrane-bound organelles, including a true nucleus
- B
The prokaryote lacks DNA
- C
Only the prokaryote has ribosomes
- D
Only the eukaryote has a plasma membrane
Explanation
Eukaryotic cells are defined by membrane-enclosed organelles, especially a true nucleus, while prokaryotes have DNA in a nucleoid region without a surrounding membrane.