Which statement describes typical bacterial cells?

Which statement describes typical bacterial cells?

• A. Have a nucleus
• B. Contain mitochondria
• C. No nucleus
• D. Are multicellular

Answer: (C)

Bacteria are prokaryotes, so their DNA is not enclosed by a nuclear membrane. Instead, their genetic material sits in the cytoplasm in a region called the nucleoid, and they lack membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria. Because of this, bacterial cells are typically unicellular. Statements about having a nucleus or containing mitochondria describe eukaryotic cells, and while some bacteria can form surface communities, they are not multi- cellular organisms in the same way as complex multicellular life. The defining feature here is the absence of a nucleus.

Bacteria are prokaryotes, so their DNA is not enclosed by a nuclear membrane. Instead, their genetic material sits in the cytoplasm in a region called the nucleoid, and they lack membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria. Because of this, bacterial cells are typically unicellular. Statements about having a nucleus or containing mitochondria describe eukaryotic cells, and while some bacteria can form surface communities, they are not multi- cellular organisms in the same way as complex multicellular life. The defining feature here is the absence of a nucleus.