Campbell Biology (12th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0135188741
ISBN 13: 978-0-13518-874-3

Chapter 27 - 27.1 - Concept Check - Page 578: 2

Answer

Prokaryotes have much less DNA than eukaryotes. Most of the DNA of prokaryotes is located in one ring-shaped chromosome found in the nucleoid, whereas in eukaryotes, the DNA is located in a membrane-enclosed nucleus. Many prokaryotes possess plasmids, which are small ring-shaped DNA molecules that only have a few genes.

Work Step by Step

Contrast the DNA of prokaryotes with the DNA of eukaryotes. It is especially helpful to note the simplicity of the prokaryotic DNA due to its ring form and plasmids, compared to the complex double helical structure of eukaryotic DNA, which is located in a membrane-bound nucleus.
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