Common Features: Prokaryotic Organisms (Edexcel IGCSE Biology)
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Prokaryotes
All living organisms can be grouped, or classified, using a classification system that consists of five kingdoms; these are:
animals
plants
fungi
protoctists
prokaryotes
The prokaryotes are different from the other four kingdoms, which are all eukaryotes
Features of prokaryotic organisms include:
they are single-celled
they have no nucleus
the nuclear material is found in the cytoplasm
Bacteria are prokaryotic organisms
Bacteria
Bacteria share the following biological characteristics:
they are microscopic, single-celled organisms
they have a cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm and plasmids
they lack a nucleus but contain circular DNA
they lack mitochondria and have no other membrane-bound organelles
Examples of bacteria include:
Lactobacillus
A rod-shaped bacterium used in the production of yoghurt from milk
Pneumococcus
A spherical bacterium that acts as the pathogen causing pneumonia
Bacteria feed in different ways:
Some bacteria carry out photosynthesis despite having no chloroplasts; this is because they still possess chlorophyl and have the enzymes necessary to synthesise sugars
Most feed on other living or dead organisms
If they feed on dead organic matter then they are known as saprobionts or decomposers
Bacteria have a cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, plasmids and circular DNA
Components of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells table
Component | Eukaryotes | Prokaryotes |
---|---|---|
Cell membrane | Y | Y |
Cytoplasm | Y | Y |
Genetic material | Y - in a nucleus | Y - in the cytoplasm |
Nucleus | Y | N |
Cell wall | Some types | Y |
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