Refer to the figure below. Which statement accurately classifies the two cells and provides correct reasons for the classifications?
A) Cell A and cell B are both prokaryotes, because each is surrounded by a cell membrane and DNA is located in each cell interior.
B) Cell A and cell B are both eukaryotes, because ribosomes are present in each cell's cytoplasm.
C) Cell A and cell B are both eukaryotes, because they have about equal amounts of DNA in their nuclei.
D) Cell B is a eukaryote and cell A is a prokaryote, because cell B contains a cell wall and cell A does not.
E) Cell A is a eukaryote and cell B is a prokaryote, because cell A contains membrane-bound organelles and internal membranes and cell B does not.

Question

Refer to the figure below.  Which statement accurately classifies the two cells and provides correct reasons for the classifications?
A) Cell A and cell B are both prokaryotes, because each is surrounded by a cell membrane and DNA is located in each cell interior. 
B) Cell A and cell B are both eukaryotes, because ribosomes are present in each cell's cytoplasm. 
C) Cell A and cell B are both eukaryotes, because they have about equal amounts of DNA in their nuclei. 
D) Cell B is a eukaryote and cell A is a prokaryote, because cell B contains a cell wall and cell A does not. 
E) Cell A is a eukaryote and cell B is a prokaryote, because cell A contains membrane-bound organelles and internal membranes and cell B does not.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cell A has membrane-bound organelles and internal membranes, which are characteristic features of eukaryotic cells. On the other hand, cell B doesn't have any membrane-bound organelles or internal membranes, thus it is a prokaryote. The presence of a cell wall is not a reliable way to classify cells as both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells can have cell walls. The amount of DNA is not a significant factor for classifying cells as prokaryotic or eukaryotic. Ribosomes are present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Refer to the Figure Below