What characterizes a prokaryotic cell?

A prokaryotic cell is characterized by the absence of a membrane-bound nucleus. This means that the genetic material (DNA) of prokaryotic cells is not enclosed within a nuclear envelope, as is found in eukaryotic cells. Instead, the DNA is typically organized in a single circular chromosome located in a region called the nucleoid, which is not separated from the rest of the cell by a membrane.

Prokaryotes, which include bacteria and archaea, tend to be simpler in structure compared to eukaryotic cells, which possess a defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum. The simplicity of prokaryotic cells is one of their defining characteristics, making them fundamentally different from more complex eukaryotic cells. Understanding this distinction helps in classifying cells and appreciating the various biological processes that occur in different types of organisms.