What distinguishes prokaryotic cells from eukaryotic cells?

The distinction between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells primarily lies in the presence of a nucleus. Prokaryotic cells, which include bacteria and archaea, do not have a membrane-bound nucleus; instead, their genetic material is located in a region called the nucleoid, which is not enclosed by a membrane. In contrast, eukaryotic cells, which comprise organisms such as plants, animals, fungi, and protists, possess a well-defined, membrane-bound nucleus that houses their DNA. This structural difference is fundamental to the classification of these two domains of life and underpins many of their biological differences, including their complexity and mechanisms of cellular processes.

While other factors such as size, presence of chloroplasts, and cell wall composition do vary between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, they are not definitive characteristics that separate the two cell types. For instance, some eukaryotic cells (like plant cells) do have chloroplasts, while prokaryotes do not have these organelles at all. Additionally, prokaryotic cells are typically smaller, but size alone does not provide a comprehensive distinction. Cell wall composition can also differ, especially between plant cells (which contain cellulose) and