Prokaryote vs Eukaryotes

Question 1

What is a prokaryote, and when did prokaryotes arise?

Answer 1

A prokaryote is an organism made of a single prokaryotic cell. The earliest prokaryotes may have arisen more than 2.5 billion years ago.

Question 2

Describe three main features inside a prokaryotic cell.

Answer 2

Nucleoid, The area where the cell’s DNA is located (no membrane around it).
Cytoplasm, A gel-like substance inside the cell where things like proteins and enzymes float around.
Cell membrane, The outer layer that controls what goes in and out of the cell.

Question 3

Describe the structures that form the outside of a prokaryotic cell. State whether each structure is common to all prokaryotes.

Answer 3

-All prokaryotes also have a cell wall surrounding the cell membrane. The cell wall helps provide support and protection for the cell.
-Some prokaryotes are enclosed by an additional layer. This layer is called the capsule. The capsule has a sticky surface area, so it allows prokaryotes to cling to surfaces, such as your skin and your teeth.

Question 4

What is a eukaryote, and when did eukaryotes first arise?

Answer 4

A eukaryote is an organism with cells that have a nucleus and other parts inside, like mitochondria. Eukaryotes first appeared about 1.5 to 2 billion years ago.

Question 5

From which type of cells did multicellular organisms arise?

Answer 5

Eukaryotic cells