Which statement is accurate about DNA and organelles in cells?

Which statement is accurate about DNA and organelles in cells?

• A. Prokaryotes have linear DNA and membrane-bound organelles.
• B. Eukaryotes lack a nucleus and have circular DNA outside the nucleus.
• C. Prokaryotes have a nucleus with linear DNA and mitochondria.
• D. Prokaryotes have no nucleus or membrane-bound organelles and circular DNA.

Answer: (D)

Prokaryotic cells are simpler in organization. They do not have a nucleus, and they lack membrane-bound organelles, so their genetic material is not enclosed within a nucleus and is typically a single circular chromosome located in the cytoplasm (often in the nucleoid region). This circular DNA contrasts with the linear chromosomes housed in a nucleus in eukaryotic cells, which also contain many membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria. Therefore, describing prokaryotes as having no nucleus or membrane-bound organelles and possessing circular DNA accurately captures their basic cellular structure. The other statements would imply features of eukaryotes (a nucleus, linear DNA, mitochondria) that prokaryotes do not have.

Prokaryotic cells are simpler in organization. They do not have a nucleus, and they lack membrane-bound organelles, so their genetic material is not enclosed within a nucleus and is typically a single circular chromosome located in the cytoplasm (often in the nucleoid region). This circular DNA contrasts with the linear chromosomes housed in a nucleus in eukaryotic cells, which also contain many membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria. Therefore, describing prokaryotes as having no nucleus or membrane-bound organelles and possessing circular DNA accurately captures their basic cellular structure. The other statements would imply features of eukaryotes (a nucleus, linear DNA, mitochondria) that prokaryotes do not have.