Which statement about prokaryotes is true?

Which statement about prokaryotes is true?

• A. They lack a nuclear membrane.
• B. They are relatively small.
• C. They have autonomous organelles.
• D. They have a membrane-bound nucleus.

Answer: (B)

Prokaryotes are characteristically small and simple in their organization. This small size is a consistent feature across bacteria and archaea and helps distinguish them from eukaryotic cells, which are typically much larger and more complex. In terms of internal structure, prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria or chloroplasts, and they do not have a true nucleus surrounded by a nuclear membrane; their genetic material sits in a nucleoid region rather than a defined nucleus. The reason the statement about being relatively small is the best fit is that size is a universal, defining trait shared by nearly all prokaryotes, regardless of species. The other descriptions either describe features they do not have (membrane-bound nucleus and autonomous organelles) or describe something true but not as characteristic or universally distinguishing as their small size.

Prokaryotes are characteristically small and simple in their organization. This small size is a consistent feature across bacteria and archaea and helps distinguish them from eukaryotic cells, which are typically much larger and more complex. In terms of internal structure, prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria or chloroplasts, and they do not have a true nucleus surrounded by a nuclear membrane; their genetic material sits in a nucleoid region rather than a defined nucleus.

The reason the statement about being relatively small is the best fit is that size is a universal, defining trait shared by nearly all prokaryotes, regardless of species. The other descriptions either describe features they do not have (membrane-bound nucleus and autonomous organelles) or describe something true but not as characteristic or universally distinguishing as their small size.