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Multiple Choice
Which of the following characteristics would help you determine if a cell is prokaryotic or eukaryotic?
A
Presence of DNA
B
Presence of ribosomes
C
Presence of a nucleus
D
Presence of a cell membrane
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the basic differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus, while eukaryotic cells do.
Recognize that both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells contain DNA, so the presence of DNA is not a distinguishing feature.
Note that both types of cells also have ribosomes, which are essential for protein synthesis, so the presence of ribosomes is not a distinguishing feature either.
Identify that both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have a cell membrane, which is crucial for maintaining the cell's environment, so this is not a distinguishing feature.
Conclude that the presence of a nucleus is the key characteristic that distinguishes eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells, as only eukaryotic cells have a true nucleus.