Skip to main content
prokaryotic

prokaryotic

1 8.1
Having cells that do not have a nucleus or other parts covered by a membrane
  • adjective
  • /proʊˌkɛr.iˈɑː.tɪk/
  • Specialized
: procariota
  • The earliest organisms were prokaryotic—simple cells whose genes do not reside in a membrane-bound nucleus.
  • prokaryotic cell

This is how you go from single cell eukaryotic to prokaryotic or the other way around.

Examples

  • The prokaryotic world was genetically diverse, but it certainly didn't have this kind of morphological diversity in it.

  • Animal or vegetable, all prokaryotic cells contained circular chromosomes, free of nuclear membranes—like bacteria, prokaryotes.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • All of the rest of the cells on the planet are prokaryotic, which means before the nucleus.

  • This is how you go from single cell eukaryotic to prokaryotic or the other way around.

  • But prokaryotic cells were ring-shaped as well.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Many researchers believed that prokaryotic organisms like bacteria probably did not contain clocks.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Most importantly, Whittaker now accepted Copeland's earlier decision to place all prokaryotic organisms into their own kingdom.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Many textbooks recognize a new kingdom for the archaea, but both the archaea and bacteria are typically discussed in the chapter devoted to prokaryotic life.

    Academic text (2012)
  • As a result, Margulis and Chapman continued to argue for maintaining a prokaryotic superkingdom that includes both bacteria and archaea.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Many researchers believe that prokaryotic cells, like bacteria, lack complex organelles.

Synonyms

procaryotic
vsprokaryotic
  • Archaic
1 8.5

Having cells that do not have a membrane around their nucleus, like bacteria

is the modern standard spelling rather than the alternate historical form

Antonyms

eukaryotic
  • Specialized
2 7.5

Cells that have a nucleus and other parts inside a membrane

How Complex

eukaryotic
  • Specialized
2 7.5
prokaryotic
  • Specialized
1 8.1
acellular
  • Specialized
1 9.5

Surface Forms

prokaryotic positive

Morphology

prokaryotic = prokaryote (semi-transparent) = pro + karyote + ic

This is a standard adjective formed from the noun 'prokaryote' and means 'relating to or having the nature of a prokaryote'.

Etymology

Prokaryotic comes from the parts pro- meaning 'before' and karyon meaning 'kernel' or 'core'. So a prokaryotic cell is 'before the nucleus' and does not have a membrane-bound nucleus, which is why bacteria are called prokaryotic.