Compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in terms of nucleus presence and membrane-bound organelles.

Compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in terms of nucleus presence and membrane-bound organelles.

• A. Prokaryotes have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; eukaryotes lack a nucleus.
• B. Prokaryotes are multicellular; eukaryotes are unicellular.
• C. Prokaryotes lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; eukaryotes have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
• D. Both have a nucleus; the difference is in cell wall composition.

Answer: (C)

The question tests how cell organization differs in terms of nucleus presence and membrane-bound compartments. Prokaryotic cells do not have a true nucleus or any membrane-bound organelles; their DNA is typically located in the nucleoid region and functions occur in a more open cytoplasmic space. Eukaryotic cells, on the other hand, enclose their DNA within a membrane-bound nucleus and contain multiple membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum, which compartmentalize different cellular processes. This contrast makes the statement that prokaryotes lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotes have both, the best description of the difference. The other options either claim that prokaryotes have a nucleus or ignore the nucleus entirely, or mix in unrelated differences like multicellularity or cell wall types.

The question tests how cell organization differs in terms of nucleus presence and membrane-bound compartments. Prokaryotic cells do not have a true nucleus or any membrane-bound organelles; their DNA is typically located in the nucleoid region and functions occur in a more open cytoplasmic space. Eukaryotic cells, on the other hand, enclose their DNA within a membrane-bound nucleus and contain multiple membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum, which compartmentalize different cellular processes. This contrast makes the statement that prokaryotes lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotes have both, the best description of the difference. The other options either claim that prokaryotes have a nucleus or ignore the nucleus entirely, or mix in unrelated differences like multicellularity or cell wall types.