learnbiology

What Are Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes? In the vast and fascinating world of biology, one of the fundamental distinctions among living organisms is the type of cells they are made of. All living beings are composed of cells, but not all cells are the same. They are categorized into prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells—a classification that helps scientists understand the structure, function, and evolution of life on Earth. Let’s explore what prokaryotes and eukaryotes are, their differences, and why they matter. What Are Prokaryotes? Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms that lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles . The word "prokaryote" comes from Greek, where "pro" means "before" and "karyon" means "nucleus"—meaning "before nucleus."  Key Characteristics of Prokaryotes: No nucleus : The DNA floats freely in the cytoplasm in a region called the nucleoid . No membrane-bound organelles : Structures like mitochond...