Here's why:

* It's not a true chromosome: Prokaryotic DNA is a single, circular molecule, unlike eukaryotic DNA which is organized into multiple linear chromosomes.

* It's not contained within a nucleus: Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus, so their DNA is located in a region of the cytoplasm called the nucleoid.

* It's not associated with histones: Prokaryotic DNA is not tightly packaged with histone proteins like eukaryotic DNA.

Therefore, the term "genophore" is used to distinguish it from the chromosomes found in eukaryotic cells.