10 characteristics of PROKARYOTIC CELLS

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Prokaryotic cells are the simplest of all living cells and the oldest. They are the first life form to exist on Earth and still exist. Prokaryotes are unicellular organisms, that is, they lack a cell nucleus and other internal organelles attached to membranes.

Despite their simple structure, prokaryotic cells are highly adaptable and can survive in a wide range of environments. They are found in almost all kinds of habitats, from extreme environments, like hot thermal vents, to more commonplaces, like soil and oceans.

Prokaryotic cells have a very simple structure. They are usually smaller than eukaryotic cells and have a cell wall made of peptidoglycan, a complex molecule made up of sugars and amino acids. The cell wall helps protect the cell and also gives it shape and structure.

The genetic material of prokaryotic cells is contained in a single circular chromosome. It is found in the cytoplasm, along with some small plasmids, which are additional circular fragments of DNA. The cell also contains ribosomes, responsible for making proteins, and small organelles known as inclusions.

One of the most important characteristics of prokaryotic cells is their ability to reproduce rapidly. Prokaryotes reproduce by binary fission, a process by which a cell divides into two identical copies. This allows prokaryotes to quickly colonize new environments and increase their numbers.

Prokaryotes are incredibly important to life on Earth. They are the most numerous type of organism in the world and play a vital role in the functioning of the environment. They can break down organic matter, produce important compounds like nitrogen, and form symbiotic relationships with plants and animals.

In general, prokaryotic cells are the simplest and oldest cell type, and yet they are vital to life on Earth. They are highly adaptable and can thrive in many different environments, and they play an important role in how the environment works.

The 10 most important characteristics of prokaryotic cells

Prokaryotic cells are cells that lack a defined nucleus and organelles surrounded by a membrane. Here are 10 characteristics of prokaryotic cells:



  1. They do not have a defined nucleus. Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus surrounded by a membrane, but instead have the genetic material dispersed in the cytoplasm.
  2. They do not have organelles surrounded by membranes. Prokaryotic cells do not have organelles surrounded by membranes, but instead have organelle-like structures called mesosomes.
  3. They have a large amount of protein. Prokaryotic cells contain a large amount of proteins, which are essential for the performance of many cellular functions.
  1. They have a simple metabolism. Prokaryotic cells have a simple metabolism, which means that they use simple processes to obtain energy and carry out their functions.
  2. They divide by means of binary fission. Prokaryotic cells divide through binary fission, a process that allows cells to reproduce and form colonies.


  3. They have a variable size and shape. Prokaryotic cells vary in size and shape, from round and spherical cells to elongated and filamentous cells.
  4. They have a cell membrane. The cell membrane is a thin, flexible layer that surrounds the cell and protects it from the environment.
  5. They have a cytoplasm. The cytoplasm is the gelatinous material found inside the cell that contains the genetic material and organelle-like structures.
  6. They are not specialized. Prokaryotic cells are not specialized to perform specific functions, rather they perform all of their functions necessary to survive and reproduce.
  7. They have a large amount of fluids. Prokaryotic cells have a large amount of fluids, such as cytoplasm and intercellular fluids, that allow them to perform their functions.


Importance of prokaryotic cells

Prokaryotic cells are important for several reasons:

  1. They are the oldest cells. Prokaryotic cells originated about 3.5 billion years ago, while eukaryotic cells arose about 2 billion years ago. Therefore, prokaryotic cells are the oldest and most primitive cells known.
  2. They are the most abundant cells. Prokaryotic cells are the most abundant cells on the planet, found in all environments, from the oceans to the atmosphere.
  3. They are essential for life. Prokaryotic cells are essential to life, as they are responsible for many of the vital functions that allow organisms to survive and reproduce.
  4. They are important in food production. Prokaryotic cells are important in the production of food, since many of them are fermented by prokaryotic bacteria.
  5. They have a role in human health. Prokaryotic cells play an important role in human health, since many of them are beneficial to the body and are part of the human microbiota. However, some prokaryotic cells can also be pathogenic and cause disease.
  6. They are important in research. Prokaryotic cells are important in research as they are easy to grow and study and have been used to understand many fundamental biological processes.

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ENCICLOPEDIA DE CARACTERÍSTICAS (2024) 10 characteristics of PROKARYOTIC CELLS, en 10caracteristicas.com. https://10caracteristicas.com/en/10-characteristics-of-prokaryotic-cells/ (Consultado el: 07-12-2024)

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