Which term describes single-celled organisms in which genetic material is not separated by a nucleus from the rest of the cell?

Which term describes single-celled organisms in which genetic material is not separated by a nucleus from the rest of the cell?

• A. Eukaryotes
• B. Cytoplasm
• C. Prokaryotes
• D. Nucleus

Answer: (C)

The key concept is how genetic material is organized inside cells. Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms whose DNA is not enclosed by a membrane-bound nucleus; instead, the genetic material sits in the cytoplasm in a region called the nucleoid, and their cells lack most membrane-bound organelles. This contrasts with eukaryotes, which have a nucleus that keeps DNA separate from the rest of the cell. A nucleus is the membrane-bound compartment in eukaryotic cells, and cytoplasm refers to the cell’s interior fluid rather than a type of organism. Therefore, the term that describes these organisms is prokaryotes.

The key concept is how genetic material is organized inside cells. Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms whose DNA is not enclosed by a membrane-bound nucleus; instead, the genetic material sits in the cytoplasm in a region called the nucleoid, and their cells lack most membrane-bound organelles. This contrasts with eukaryotes, which have a nucleus that keeps DNA separate from the rest of the cell. A nucleus is the membrane-bound compartment in eukaryotic cells, and cytoplasm refers to the cell’s interior fluid rather than a type of organism. Therefore, the term that describes these organisms is prokaryotes.