Which statement is true?

Which statement is true?

• A. Eukaryotic DNA is circular and located in the nucleoid region outside the nucleus.
• B. Eukaryotic cells have no nucleus but linear DNA in the cytoplasm.
• C. Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus with linear DNA and numerous membrane-bound organelles.
• D. Eukaryotic DNA is circular and located in mitochondria.

Answer: (C)

Eukaryotic cells organize their genetic material in a nucleus that contains linear DNA and they house many membrane-bound organelles. The linear DNA is packaged into chromosomes inside the nucleus, which is surrounded by a double membrane. In contrast, prokaryotes lack a true nucleus and typically have a single circular chromosome located in the cytoplasm in a region called the nucleoid. Mitochondria and chloroplasts in eukaryotes do have their own circular DNA, but that is a separate, smaller genome inside organelles, not the main genome. So the statement describing a nucleus with linear DNA and numerous membrane-bound organelles best captures the defining features of eukaryotic cells.