Edexcel GCSE Biology

Prokaryotic vs eukaryotic cells

Edexcel GCSE Biology revision on Prokaryotic vs eukaryotic cells. Aligned to the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology 1BI0 specification. This bank has 25 practice questions on this topic.

Sample questions (3 of 25)

  1. Question 1

    Which structure is found in a bacterial cell but is absent from a typical animal cell?

    • A) Cell membrane
    • B) Chromosomal DNA
    • C) Plasmid DNA
    • D) Cytoplasm
    Show answer

    Answer: Plasmid DNA

    Prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria, contain small circular loops of DNA called plasmids that exist independently of the main chromosomal DNA. Animal cells are eukaryotic and contain all their genetic material within a membrane-bound nucleus, meaning they lack these accessory loops of DNA.

  2. Question 2

    Which feature distinguishes the genetic material of a prokaryotic cell from that of a eukaryotic cell?

    • A) It is linear DNA
    • B) It is free-floating
    • C) It is inside a nucleus
    • D) It is bound by proteins
    Show answer

    Answer: It is free-floating

    In eukaryotic cells, the genetic material is contained within a distinct, membrane-bound nucleus. In contrast, prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus, so their genetic material floats freely in the cytoplasm, often concentrated in a region called the nucleoid.

  3. Question 3

    What is the name of the process by which prokaryotic cells divide?

    Show answer

    Answer: binary fission

    Binary fission is the asexual reproduction method used by prokaryotes. During this process, the circular DNA and plasmids replicate, the cell grows, and the cytoplasm divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells.

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