What is one characteristic of prokaryotic cells?

Prokaryotic cells are known for their simplicity and lack of membrane-bound organelles. One of the key characteristics of prokaryotes is that they contain ribosomes, which are essential for protein synthesis. Unlike eukaryotic cells, which have larger and more complex ribosomes, prokaryotic ribosomes are smaller but still perform the critical function of translating mRNA into proteins. This ribosomal function is essential for all living organisms, including bacteria and archaea, which are the two main types of prokaryotic cells.

In contrast, the other options highlight aspects that do not accurately represent prokaryotic cells. For instance, prokaryotic cells do indeed have genetic material, just not contained within a nucleus, as their DNA is typically located in a region called the nucleoid. They are generally smaller than eukaryotic cells, and the presence of a nucleus is a defining feature of eukaryotic cells, not prokaryotic ones. Therefore, recognizing that prokaryotic cells contain ribosomes is a fundamental characteristic that helps distinguish them within the broader biological classification.