Which statement is accurate about DNA and organelles in cells?

Which statement is accurate about DNA and organelles in cells?

• A. Prokaryotes have linear DNA and membrane-bound organelles.
• B. Eukaryotes lack a nucleus and have circular DNA outside the nucleus.
• C. Prokaryotes have a nucleus with linear DNA and mitochondria.
• D. Prokaryotes have no nucleus or membrane-bound organelles and circular DNA.

Answer: (D)

Understanding how DNA is organized and where organelles are located in cells helps distinguish between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Prokaryotes do not have a nucleus or any membrane-bound organelles. Their DNA is typically a single circular chromosome that floats in the cytoplasm, in a region called the nucleoid, and they may carry small circular DNA molecules called plasmids. In contrast, eukaryotic cells have a nucleus that houses linear DNA and contain numerous membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria and, in plants and algae, chloroplasts.

This is why the statement describing prokaryotes as lacking a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles and having circular DNA is correct. The other statements mix up features of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, such as claiming prokaryotes have linear DNA or membrane-bound organelles, or describing eukaryotes as lacking a nucleus or having circular DNA outside the nucleus.