Structures and Features of Prokaryotic Cells

What type of organisms are prokaryotes?

Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms with a simple cell structure and no membrane-bound organelles.

Do prokaryotes have compartmentalisation within their cells?

No, prokaryotes lack compartmentalisation and do not have membrane-bound organelles.

What are the common shapes of prokaryotic cells

Prokaryotic cells can be rods (bacilli), spheres (cocci), spirals (spirilla), commas (vibrio), or corkscrews (spirochetes).

Into how many domains are prokaryotes classified

Two domains

What are the two domains of prokaryotes

Bacteria and Archaea

What are some characteristics of organisms in the domain Bacteria

They are a large and diverse group that includes many pathogenic (disease-causing) species.

What are some characteristics of organisms in the domain Archaea

They include extremophiles (organisms that live in extreme environments) but also exist in normal habitats.

Where is the genetic material found in a prokaryotic cell

In a region of the cytosol called the nucleoid

What is the single DNA strand in a prokaryote called

The genophore

What are plasmids in prokaryotes

Additional DNA molecules that can be exchanged via bacterial conjugation

What is the size of prokaryotic ribosomes

70S — smaller than eukaryotic ribosomes

What is the function of ribosomes in prokaryotic cells

Protein synthesis

What structural feature do all prokaryotic cells possess

A cell wall

What are pili, and what are their two main types and functions

Hair-like extensions that aid in adhesion (attachment pili) or plasmid exchange (sex pili)

What are flagella in prokaryotes, and what is their function

Whip-like projections that facilitate movement

Draw a Prokaryotic cell and include lables