Question of the Day

Eukaryotes are distinguished from prokaryotes primarily by the presence of a discrete intracellular compartment, the nucleus, which contains the cellular genetic material. The term "karyote" comes from the Greek "karyon" meaning kernel, referring to the nucleus. The prefix "pro–" means "before," and the prefix "eu–" means "good" or "true." Both groups, however, have examples of multi- and unicellular organisms, such as certain bacteria, which aggregate to form complex structures, or yeast, a unicellular eukaryote. Similarly, there are both eukaryotes (plants) and prokaryotes (most, but not all bacteria), which have cell walls. Motility is a common feature of the cells of organisms within both groups.