Properties of Prokaryotes
Biology: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 2.1.3
Prokaryotic Cells
Prokaryotic cells (such as bacteria) are much smaller and lack many of the structures found in plant and animal cells. The key features of prokaryotic cells are:
Mitochondria and chloroplasts
- Prokaryotic cells do not contain mitochondria (where respiration takes place) or chloroplasts (where photosynthesis takes place).
Lack of nucleus
- Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus (where DNA is stored).
- Instead, their genetic material is stored in a single DNA loop in the cytoplasm (watery jelly that fills the cell).
No endoplasmic reticulum
- Prokaryotic cells do not contain rough endoplasmic reticulum (stacked-structure covered in ribosomes).
Test yourself on Properties of Prokaryotes
Which sub-cellular structures (structures inside the cell) can be found in prokaryotic cells?
Which of these do bacteria not have?