Although some eukaryotic cells have flagella, and some eukaryotic
cells are single-celled, the characteristic of having no nucleus allows
an observer to classify the cells on Slide 1 as prokaryotic.
The ability to go through mitosis is unique to eukaryotic cells, as is
the presence of linear DNA and organelles such as the endoplasmic
reticulum. These characteristics allow an observer to classify the
cells on Slide 2 as eukaryotic.
Prokaryotic cells are unicellular, and they lack membrane-bound
organelles and a membrane-bound nucleus. Although eukaryotic
organisms may be unicellular or multicellular, most eukaryotic cells
have a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
The presence of these characteristics in the cells on Slide 3 allows an
observer to classify these cells as eukaryotic.
Prokaryotic cells have a relatively simple structure and lack
membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria. In general, they
range in size from 0.1 micrometers to 5.0 micrometers. Although
eukaryotic cells vary in size, they typically have a complex structure
and have membrane-bound organelles, including mitochondria. The
presence of these characteristics in the cells on Slide 4 allows an
observer to classify these cells as eukaryotic.