What is a key difference between cell division in prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells?

• A. Prokaryotic cells divide by mitosis, while eukaryotic cells divide by binary fission.
• B. Prokaryotic cells use cytokinesis, while eukaryotic cells do not.
• C. Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells divide by meiosis.
• D. Prokaryotic cells divide by binary fission, while eukaryotic cells divide by mitosis.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the basic types of cell division: Prokaryotic cells typically divide by a process called binary fission, while eukaryotic cells divide by mitosis or meiosis.
2. Binary fission is a simpler and faster process compared to mitosis. It involves the replication of the prokaryotic cell's single circular DNA molecule and division of the cytoplasm to form two identical daughter cells.
3. Mitosis is a more complex process that occurs in eukaryotic cells. It involves multiple stages (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase) to ensure the equal distribution of duplicated chromosomes into two daughter cells.
4. Cytokinesis is the process of cytoplasmic division that follows mitosis in eukaryotic cells, resulting in two separate cells. It is not exclusive to prokaryotic cells.
5. Meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, creating four haploid cells. It is not a method of division for prokaryotic cells.