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    Prokaryotic Cell

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    Wareesha Batool
    Prokaryotic cells are single-celled microorganisms that were the earliest life forms on Earth. They lack membrane-bound organelles and a nucleus, with their genetic material located in the nucleoid region of the cytoplasm. Key characteristics include possessing a cell wall but not internal membranes, mitochondria or a nucleus, reproducing asexually through binary fission, and having circular DNA. The structures of prokaryotic cells include a cell membrane, cell wall, cytoplasm, ribosomes, plasmids, pili and sometimes flagella.

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    Prokaryotic Cell

    Uploaded by

    Wareesha Batool
    21 views3 pages
    Prokaryotic cells are single-celled microorganisms that were the earliest life forms on Earth. They lack membrane-bound organelles and a nucleus, with their genetic material located in the nucleoid region of the cytoplasm. Key characteristics include possessing a cell wall but not internal membranes, mitochondria or a nucleus, reproducing asexually through binary fission, and having circular DNA. The structures of prokaryotic cells include a cell membrane, cell wall, cytoplasm, ribosomes, plasmids, pili and sometimes flagella.

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    Prokaryotic cells are single-celled microorganisms that were the earliest life forms on Earth. They lack membrane-bound organelles and a nucleus, with their genetic material located in the nucleoid region of the cytoplasm. Key characteristics include possessing a cell wall but not internal membranes, mitochondria or a nucleus, reproducing asexually through binary fission, and having circular DNA. The structures of prokaryotic cells include a cell membrane, cell wall, cytoplasm, ribosomes, plasmids, pili and sometimes flagella.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    21 views3 pages

    Prokaryotic Cell

    Uploaded by

    Wareesha Batool
    Prokaryotic cells are single-celled microorganisms that were the earliest life forms on Earth. They lack membrane-bound organelles and a nucleus, with their genetic material located in the nucleoid region of the cytoplasm. Key characteristics include possessing a cell wall but not internal membranes, mitochondria or a nucleus, reproducing asexually through binary fission, and having circular DNA. The structures of prokaryotic cells include a cell membrane, cell wall, cytoplasm, ribosomes, plasmids, pili and sometimes flagella.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
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    Prokaryotic Cell Definition

    “Prokaryotic cells are the cells that do not have a true nucleus and membrane-bound
    organelles.”

    Table of Contents

    What is a Prokaryotic Cell?


    Prokaryotic cells are single-celled microorganisms known to be the earliest on earth. Prokaryotes
    include Bacteria and Archaea. The photosynthetic prokaryotes include cyanobacteria that
    perform photosynthesis.

    A prokaryotic cell consists of a single membrane and therefore, all the reactions occur within the
    cytoplasm. They can be free-living or parasites.

    Characteristics of Prokaryotic Cell


    Prokaryotic cells have different characteristic features. The characteristics of the prokaryotic
    cells are mentioned below.

    1. They lack a nuclear membrane.

    2. Mitochondria, Golgi bodies, chloroplast, and lysosomes are absent.

    3. The genetic material is present on a single chromosome.

    4. The histone proteins, the important constituents of eukaryotic chromosomes, are lacking
    in them.

    5. The cell wall is made up of carbohydrates and amino acids.

    6. The plasma membrane acts as the mitochondrial membrane carrying respiratory enzymes.

    7. They divide asexually by binary fission. The sexual mode of reproduction involves
    conjugation.

    Prokaryotic Cell Structure
    A prokaryotic cell does not have a nuclear membrane. However, the genetic material is present
    in a region in the cytoplasm known as the nucleoid. They may be spherical, rod-shaped, or spiral.
    A prokaryotic cell structure is as follows:

    1. Capsule– It is an outer protective covering found in the bacterial cells, in addition to the
    cell wall. It helps in moisture retention, protects the cell when engulfed, and helps in the
    attachment of cells to nutrients and surfaces.

    2. Cell Wall– It is the outermost layer of the cell which gives shape to the cell.

    3. Cytoplasm– The cytoplasm is mainly composed of enzymes, salts, cell organelles and is
    a gel-like component.

    4. Cell Membrane– This layer surrounds the cytoplasm and regulates the entry and exit of
    substances in the cells.

    5. Pili– These are hair-like outgrowths that attach to the surface of other bacterial cells.

    6. Flagella– These are long structures in the form of a whip, that help in the locomotion of a
    cell.

    7. Ribosomes– These are involved in protein synthesis.

    8. Plasmids– Plasmids are non-chromosomal DNA structures. These are not involved in
    reproduction.

    9. Nucleoid Region– It is the region in the cytoplasm where the genetic material is present.

    A prokaryotic cell lacks certain organelles like mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi
    bodies.

    Prokaryotic Cell Diagram


    The prokaryotic cell diagram given below represents a bacterial cell. It depicts the absence of a
    true nucleus and the presence of a flagellum that differentiates it from a eukaryotic cell.
    Components of Prokaryotic Cells
    The prokaryotic cells have four main components:

    Plasma Membrane- It is an outer protective covering of phospholipid molecules which


    separates the cell from the surrounding environment.

    Cytoplasm- It is a jelly-like substance present inside the cell. All the cell organelles are
    suspended in it.

    DNA- It is the genetic material of the cell. All the prokaryotes possess a circular DNA. It directs
    what proteins the cell creates. It also regulates the actions of the cell.

    Ribosomes- Protein synthesis occurs here.

    Some prokaryotic cells possess cilia and flagella which helps in locomotion.

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