Which of the following best describes a key difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

• A. Prokaryotic cells lack a membrane-bound nucleus, while eukaryotic cells possess one.
• B. Eukaryotic cells have circular DNA, while prokaryotic cells have linear DNA.
• C. Prokaryotic cells contain mitochondria, while eukaryotic cells do not.
• D. Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the fundamental structural differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells are generally simpler and lack certain internal structures that eukaryotic cells have.
2. Step 2: Recall that a key feature of eukaryotic cells is the presence of a membrane-bound nucleus, which houses their genetic material. In contrast, prokaryotic cells do not have a membrane-bound nucleus; their DNA is located in a nucleoid region.
3. Step 3: Evaluate the options given by comparing them to known characteristics: Prokaryotic DNA is typically circular, not linear, and eukaryotic DNA is linear, so the statement about DNA types is reversed and incorrect.
4. Step 4: Consider organelles: mitochondria are membrane-bound organelles found in eukaryotic cells, not prokaryotic cells, so the statement about mitochondria is incorrect.
5. Step 5: Recognize that only eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles, while prokaryotic cells generally do not, making the statement that both have membrane-bound organelles incorrect.