Basic Structures:
* Plasma membrane: This is a thin outer layer that encloses the cell, regulating what enters and exits.
* Cytoplasm: The gel-like substance that fills the cell and contains the cell's internal structures.
* Ribosomes: These are small structures responsible for protein synthesis.
* DNA: The genetic material of the cell, usually found in a single circular chromosome located in a region called the nucleoid.
Additional Structures (not in all prokaryotes):
* Cell wall: A rigid outer layer that provides structural support and protection.
* Capsule: A sticky outer layer that helps the cell adhere to surfaces and protects it from the environment.
* Flagella: Long, whip-like structures that propel the cell through its environment.
* Pili: Short, hair-like structures that help the cell attach to surfaces and exchange genetic material.
* Plasmids: Small, circular pieces of DNA that can carry genes for antibiotic resistance or other traits.
Structures NOT found in prokaryotes:
* Nucleus: A membrane-bound organelle containing the cell's DNA.
* Mitochondria: The powerhouses of the cell, responsible for energy production.
* Chloroplasts: The sites of photosynthesis in plants.
* Golgi apparatus: Involved in processing and packaging proteins.
* Endoplasmic reticulum: A network of membranes involved in protein synthesis and lipid metabolism.
* Lysosomes: Contain enzymes that break down waste materials.
Remember, there are many different types of prokaryotes, and not all will have every structure listed above.
