Which of the following statements correctly compares prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

The correct choice highlights a fundamental distinction between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells regarding their structure and complexity. Prokaryotic cells, which include bacteria and archaea, lack membrane-bound organelles, meaning they do not have compartments within the cell that are surrounded by membranes, such as the nucleus, mitochondria, or endoplasmic reticulum. In contrast, eukaryotic cells, found in organisms like plants, animals, and fungi, have these membrane-bound organelles, allowing for compartmentalization of different cellular functions. This complexity in eukaryotic cells supports more advanced cellular organization and functionality.

In the context of the other statements, while it is accurate that prokaryotic cells do not contain membrane-bound organelles, the other statements contain inaccuracies. For instance, prokaryotic cells do not contain a nucleus; rather, they have a nucleoid region where DNA is located. Furthermore, prokaryotic cells are typically smaller than eukaryotic cells, which is contrary to the size comparison stated. When it comes to reproduction, prokaryotic cells primarily reproduce asexually through binary fission, while eukaryotic cells can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Therefore, the