Scientists found prokaryotes are remarkably resilient to climate change – and as a result, could increasingly dominate marine environments.
About Prokaryotes:
They are single-celled organismsthat lack a distinct nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
Features
Shape:They come in various shapes and sizes (0.5-5 µm), with four basic shapes being rod-like (bacillus), spherical (coccus), comma-shaped (vibrio), and spiral (spirillum).
Cell organisation:They have a basic structural organisation, which includes a cell wall (except in mycoplasma), cytoplasm, and a plasma membrane. However, they lack a well-defined nucleus.
Organelles:They lack membrane-bound organelles, except for ribosomes.
They do have unique structures called mesosomes, which are extensions of the plasma membrane used for various functions.
Reproduction:They reproduce primarily through binary fission, a type of asexual reproduction.
DNA:Most prokaryotic cells have a single chromosome, which carries hereditary genes in the form of DNA.
Prokaryotes include bacteria and “archaea”, another type of single-celled organism.
These organisms are thought to be the oldest cell-based lifeforms on Earth.
Habitat: They thrive across the entire planet, on land and in water, from the tropics to the poles.
Ecological significance: They play a crucial role in the world’s food chains, helping support the nutrient needs of fish humans catch and eat.
Marine prokaryotes grow extremely fast – a process that emits a lot of carbon.
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