Here's why:
* Eukaryotic cells are defined by their membrane-bound nucleus. This compartment houses the cell's genetic material (DNA) and is essential for regulating gene expression and cell function.
* Prokaryotic cells, on the other hand, lack a nucleus. Their DNA is located in a region called the nucleoid, which is not enclosed by a membrane.
While other structures like mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum are also present in eukaryotic cells, the nucleus is the defining characteristic that sets eukaryotes apart from prokaryotes.