Question

which of the following is not a characteristic of prokaryotic cells? no nucleus; cytoplasm; membrane - bound organelles; genetic material

Explanation:

To determine which is not a characteristic of prokaryotic cells, we analyze each option:

• "No nucleus": Prokaryotic cells lack a true nucleus (their genetic material is in a nucleoid), so this is a characteristic.
• "Cytoplasm": Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have cytoplasm, so this is a characteristic of prokaryotes.
• "Membrane - bound organelles": Prokaryotic cells do not have membrane - bound organelles (like mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, etc.). Eukaryotic cells have these. So this is NOT a characteristic of prokaryotic cells.
• "Genetic material": Prokaryotic cells have genetic material (usually a circular DNA molecule), so this is a characteristic.

Answer:

Membrane - bound organelles (the option with the text "Membrane - bound organelles")