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Prokaryote

Definition

noun, plural: prokaryotes

Any of the group of organisms primarily characterized by the lack of true nucleus and other membrane-bound cell compartments: such as mitochondria and chloroplasts, and by the possession of a single loop of stable chromosomal DNA in the nucleiod region and cytoplasmic structures, such as plasma membrane, vacuoles, primitive cytoskeleton, and ribosomes.


Supplement

Prokaryotes do not have a well-defined nucleus but a nucleoid region in their cytoplasm where their genetic material occurs generally as a single, circular molecule of DNA.

Prokaryotes are usually small in size, therefore, have a large surface area to volume ratio. Thus, they have high metabolic rate and high growth rate. They generally reproduce asexually, which is by binary fission or budding.

Most of them are unicellular, others are capable of forming stable aggregate communities.

Prokaryotes belong to Kingdom Monera. Examples of prokaryotes are bacteria, archaea and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).


Word origin: from the Old Greek pro-, before + karyon, nut or kernel, referring to the cell nucleus, + suffix -otos, pl. -otes.

Related forms: prokaryotic (adjective).

Variant: procaryote.

Compare: eukaryote.
See also: bacteria.


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Re:

... more in terms of survival by remaining as simple organisms. In many cases that is true. The most numerous organisms on the Earth are still the prokaryotes, which in many ways can be said to be "simple" organisms. So one could argue that it is the most effective form of life even in ...

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by biohazard
Fri Nov 30, 2012 8:21 am
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: Is evolution as simple as we think?
Replies: 11
Views: 2122

Re:

... theories for which you need some proofs. So far abiogenesis looks better then God. All of the DATA that supports "tree of life" - first prokaryote, than eukaryote that somehow swallowed prokaryote giving us mitochondria and giving plants chloroplasts can be interpreted in the OPPOSITE ...

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by Cat
Thu Oct 11, 2012 2:11 am
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: Are evolution and creationism mutually exclusive???
Replies: 23
Views: 3232

Re: Are evolution and creationism mutually exclusive???

... cycle, the human eye, DNA transcription and translation, the genius lac operon (it is to me anyway) etc etc? I assumed you meant the last one/prokaryote---->every living thing on the planet. Hence why i answered ' yes' they are mutually exclusive. The fall of man had an unknown effect to ...

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by jinx25
Mon Oct 08, 2012 1:19 am
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: Are evolution and creationism mutually exclusive???
Replies: 23
Views: 3232

A question I'm finding hard to answer (recombinant protein)

... foreign DNA into a vector for expression of the protein (encoded by the cloned gene) in a host. In this case, the host is a bacterium which is a prokaryote. The main points to be covered in the answer relate to important differences between prokaryotes (the host bacterium) and eukaryotes (a human ...

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by ibz52002
Sat Apr 28, 2012 4:45 pm
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: A question I'm finding hard to answer (recombinant protein)
Replies: 9
Views: 3383

Re: Is Cyanobacteria an algae or a prokaryote (bacteria)??

"Algae" is a term that has a technical definition and a broader "common" usage, so it's not a simple question to answer.

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by Darby
Wed Mar 21, 2012 5:06 pm
 
Forum: Microbiology
Topic: Is Cyanobacteria an algae or a prokaryote (bacteria)??
Replies: 5
Views: 2586
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