A mass of cells is found in the sediment surrounding a thermal vent in the ocean floor. The salinity in the area is quite high. Microscopic examination of the cells reveals no evidence of membrane-enclosed organelles. This cell would be classified as a
A) eukaryotic cell.
B) prokaryotic cell.
C) member of domain Archaea or Bacteria.
D) Both a and c
E) Both b and c

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The absence of membrane-enclosed organelles indicates that the cell is a prokaryotic cell. The high salinity in the area suggests that it is located near a thermal vent in the ocean floor, which is a characteristic environment for members of domain Archaea or Bacteria. Therefore, the cell would be classified as a prokaryotic cell and a member of domain Archaea or Bacteria.

A Mass of Cells Is Found in the Sediment Surrounding