Question

Write the characteristics of prokaryotic cells.

Answer 1

Hint: Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms with domains of Bacteria and Archaea. All prokaryotes have plasma membranes, cytoplasm, ribosomes, and DNA that is not membrane-bound and most of them have peptidoglycan cell walls and many have polysaccharide capsules.

Complete answer:
A prokaryote is a simple, unicellular organism that contains only a single membrane, which surrounds the cell as an outer membrane. All the reaction in a prokaryote is taken inside the cytoplasm. The bacterial cell wall is made up of peptidoglycan, a molecule made of sugars and amino acids that gives the cell wall its structure and is thicker in some bacteria than others.

Characteristics of the prokaryotic cell –
- Prokaryotic cells lack an organized nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
- The cell size of prokaryotic cells ranges from 0.1 to 5.0 μm in diameter.
- The small size of prokaryotes permits fast passage and diffusion of ions and molecules to other parts of the cell and it also allows fast removal of waste products out of the cell.
- Some of the bacteria can form endospores which are tough and dormant structures to preserve the cell’s genetic material under extreme conditions.
- Prokaryotic cells reproduce through binary fission that simply splits duplicated DNA into separate cells.
- The cell wall of bacteria acts as an extra layer of protection. It helps the cells to maintain their shape and prevents dehydration.

Figure: Structure of a Prokaryotic cell
Note: Some archaebacteria are found in extreme environments, such as hot springs, but they can be found in a variety of locations, such as soils, oceans, marshlands, and inside other organisms, including humans. They can survive in acidic and alkaline aquatic regions, and also in temperature above boiling point.