What is a prokaryotic cell?
A prokaryotic cell is a type of cell that lacks a nucleus, which is the
characteristic feature of eukaryotic cells. In prokaryotes, genetic material is
located in the cytoplasm, usually in the form of a single circular chromosome,
and is not separated from the rest of the cell by a membrane-bound nucleus.
Prokaryotes can be classified into two domains: Bacteria and Archaea, which
are the only prokaryotic organisms known to exist.
The size of prokaryotes varies greatly from 0.2 to 10 micrometers, and they
can have different shapes, such as spherical, rod-shaped, and spiral. The cell
wall is a prominent feature of the prokaryotic cell, and it is composed of
peptidoglycan in the case of bacteria or other molecules in archaea.
Prokaryotes are known for their ability to thrive in a wide variety of
environments, including extreme conditions such as high temperature and
pressure. They can also be found in diverse habitats such as soils, oceans,
and even the human body.
Prokaryotes are important for their many roles in various ecosystems. They
participate in nutrient cycling, breaking down dead organisms and organic
matter to release nutrients such as nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus, which
can then be used by other organisms. Some prokaryotes are also involved in
symbiotic relationships with other organisms, such as bacteria living in the gut
of animals that aid in digestion.
In addition, prokaryotes have been used in many industrial and medical
applications, such as the production of antibiotics by soil bacteria, the genetic
modification of bacteria to produce insulin, and the use of bacteria to clean up
environmental pollution.
Overall, prokaryotes are essential for maintaining the health and balance of
ecosystems and have contributed greatly to human advancement in many
fields.
References:
Madigan, M. T., Martinko, J. M., Bender, K. S., Buckley, D. H., & Stahl, D. A. (2018). Brock
biology of microorganisms. Pearson.
Campbell, N. A., & Reece, J. B. (2005). Biology (Vol. 8). Pearson Prentice Hall.