Question

the presence of which structure(s) makes eukaryotic cells more complex than prokaryotic cells?
a. ( ) membrane - bound organelles
b. ( ) cytoplasm
c. ( ) cell walls
d. ( ) free - floating genetic material

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze the differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells:

• Option A: Eukaryotic cells have membrane - bound organelles (like nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum), while prokaryotic cells lack them. These organelles allow for compartmentalization and more complex cellular functions, making eukaryotic cells more complex.
• Option B: Both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells have cytoplasm, so this is not a distinguishing feature for complexity.
• Option C: Some prokaryotes (e.g., bacteria) and some eukaryotes (e.g., plants, fungi) have cell walls. So cell walls do not make eukaryotic cells more complex than prokaryotic cells.
• Option D: Prokaryotic cells have free - floating genetic material (nucleoid), while eukaryotic cells have their genetic material in a nucleus (a membrane - bound organelle). So free - floating genetic material is a feature of prokaryotes, not what makes eukaryotes more complex.

Answer:

A. Membrane - bound organelles