Jay Wainwright C12
Forensics Science
Tuesday 1ST October 2013

Organelles within a Prokaryotic Cell

Sources;

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/biology/prokar.html

http://biology.about.com/od/cellanatomy/ss/prokaryotes.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nucleoid

http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Plasma_membrane

Prokaryotic cells are cells that lack a membrane-bound nucleus. The Greek language connotes that the term prokaryotes mean ‘before nuclei’. Prokaryotic cells tend to have very few internal structures, which are distinguishable under the microscope. Cells that are found within the monera kingdom such as bacteria and cyanobacteria (also referred to as being blue-green algae.) are prokaryotes.
Prokaryotic cells differ significantly from eukaryotic cells. They don't have a membrane-bound nucleus and instead of having chromosomal DNA, their genetic information is in a circular loop called a plasmid. Bacterial cells are very small, roughly 1-2µm in diameter and 10 µm long. Prokaryotic cells feature three major shapes: rod shaped, spherical, and spiral. Instead of going through elaborate replication processes like eukaryotes, bacterial cells divide by binary fission.

Image No 1; Diagram of a prokaryotic cell

The following table denotes the following organelles that are featured within a prokaryotic cell;

Organelles that are found within a prokaryotic cell;

Organelle
Function
Capsule
Found in some bacterial cells, the capsules main function is the process in which the outer covering of the cell protects the cell when it is engulfed by other organisms, assists in retaining moisture, and helps the cell holding on to surfaces and nutrients.
Cell Wall
The main occupation of the cell wall is to protect the bacterial cell. The cell wall also helps to maintain the main structures within the cell.
Cytoplasm
The cytoplasm within the prokaryotic cell is a gelatinous substance that consists mainly of water. Additionally, the cytoplasm consists of enzymes, salts, cell apparatus and various other organic compounds.
Flagellum
The flagellum is a long, whip-like protrusion that assists the prokaryotic cell during the process of cellular (locomotor) mobility.
Nucleoid DNA
The nucleoid is an irregularly-shaped region within the cell of a prokaryotic cell that may contains many/most of the genetic material. In contrast to the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell, it is not surrounded by a nuclear membrane. The genome of prokaryotic organisms generally is a circular, double-stranded piece of DNA, of which multiple copies may