Which of the following clues would tell you if a cell is prokaryotic or eukaryotic?

Which of the following clues would tell you if a cell is prokaryotic or eukaryotic?

a. whether or not the cell carries out cellular metabolism

b. the presence or absence of ribosomes

c. whether or not the cell is partitioned by internal membranes

d. whether or not the cell contains DNA

Answer: c. whether or not the cell is partitioned by internal membranes

The existence and nonexistence of internal membranes that divide the cell is one of the major characteristics that form the basis for categorizing cells into prokaryotic cells or eukaryotic cells. Eukaryotic cells are quite large and mostly have internal structures which include the nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles like the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and the Golgi apparatus. This endomembrane simply compartmentalizes a cell by sealing off portions of that cell to perform specific functions and to aid in more efficient functioning. However, non-nucleated cells which are smaller than eukaryotic cells possess fewer substructures within the cell and are called prokaryotic cells. They are often few and their genetic material is not bound by a nuclear membrane hence they usually have fewer organelles. This is a clear sign that separates the two main groupings, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, hence showing the lineage and function dexterity of the two types of organisms.