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1.What is a prokaryotic cell?

There are two basic types of organisms based on cell type:

Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic. 

o Prokaryotic cells are divided into the domains Bacteria

and Archaea.

o Eukaryotic cells make up the more familiar Domain

Eukarya. 

A PROKARYOTIC CELL or also known as PROKARYOTE   is a simple,

small unicellular organism  with no nucleus.

Most of the living things on Earth are prokaryotes. ç

All prokaryotic cells contain large quantities of genetic material in the

form of DNA and RNA.

1.STRUCTURE OF A PROKARYOTE

Prokaryotes do not have an organized nucleus. Their DNA is kind of

floating around the cell.
It's clumpe d up, but not inside
of a nucleus.

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 All prokaryotes have a nucleoid, a plasma membrane, and
a cytoplasm.

- A nucleoid is a clear area that contains the DNA of the cell.

- The plasma membrane is a phospolipid bilayer that encloses
the cell.
Four main functions are carried out on a bacterial plasma
membrane: 
1) transport, 2) biosynthesis, 3) signaling and 4) the
production and use of energy. 
- A prokaryote's cytoplasm is composed of two parts:
the cystol  and insoluble particles (ribosomes)  
 

Moreover, Prokaryotes have a few things that eukaryotes lack:

·outer membrane
·phospholipid bilayer 
·protective capsule made of polysaccharides
·plant cells and prokaryotes both have a cell wall that

supports the cell and gives it its shape.

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 3. OTHER FACTS ABOUt
PROKARYOTES

A) Some prokaryotes move by flagella ( long projections

composed of protein)
 

B) Prokaryotes also have pili.

      Pili help bacteria stick to other cells.    They are short and
"hairlike" and are used in reproduction.

C) While prokaryotes have no membrane enclosed compartments, 

scientists have found evidence of internal membranes in

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 prokaryotic cells.  
Mesosomes and photosynthetic membranes are examples of this.

Mesosomes are involved in the replication of DNA and are still

connected to the cell wall.

D) The photosynthetic membrane is also still connected to

the plasma membranes.  
It is found in cyanobacteria and other photosynthetic bacteria.

E) Plasmids are small, circular pieces of DNA that are easily passed

from cell to cell.

F) Prokaryotic cells may have a cell wall but, it is not made of

cellulose .
G) Reproduction in prokaryotic cells is by  binary fission

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 H) Most prokaryotes are heterotrophic, that is, they make their own
food.

4 EXAMPLES OF PROKARYOTES
Prokaryotic cells can be divided into two domains,  Archaea 
and Bacteria.

Most prokaryotes are bacteria and bacteria can do amazing

things. Although they are very simple organisms, they are found
everywhere on the planet. Some scientists even think that they
may be found on other planets (maybe even Mars). Some places
you can find bacteria every day are in your intestines, a cup of
natural yogurt, or a bakery. Prokaryotes are the simplest of
simple organisms.

The other domain of prokaryotes are archae, which are

ancient life forms which may live in extreme environments. such as
extremes of temperature . For example:

- Extreme halophiles – are organisms which thrive in highly

salty environment.

- hyperthermophiles – are examples of the organisms which

thrive in extremely hot environment.

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5. SUMMARY

 Prokaryotes are the smallest forms of life that can live

independently.
 Prokaryotes have no organized nucleus
 All prokaryotes have a nucleoid , a plasma membrane ,
and a cytoplasm.
 Most prokaryotic cells have additional structures :a cell
wall, a capsule external to the cell wall , most of them
utilize flagella for directional movement.
 Prokaryotic cells are divided into the domains Bacteria
and Archaea .
 The most familiar prokaryotes are bacteria

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