Eukaryote

Definition

Eukaryotes are organisms whose cells contain a nucleus enclosed within a membrane, along with various specialized organelles. They include animals, plants, fungi, and protists.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles such as the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum.
2. The DNA in eukaryotic cells is linear and organized into chromosomes.
3. Eukaryotes can be single-celled or multicellular organisms.
4. The process of mitosis occurs in eukaryotic cells for cell division.
5. Eukaryotic cells undergo complex processes like transcription and translation within the nucleus and cytoplasm.

Review Questions

• What distinguishes eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells?
• Name three types of organisms that are classified as eukaryotes.
• How is genetic material organized in eukaryotic cells?

Related terms

Prokaryote: Organisms whose cells lack a distinct nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Organelle: Specialized subunits within a cell that perform specific functions.

Mitosis: A process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells.