Which of the following structures is not found in prokaryotic cell?

Prokaryotic cells do not have nuclear membrane and membrane bound organelles. Microbodies are single membrane bound cell organelles seen in eukaryotes. All prokaryotic cells have ribosomes and plasma membrane and cell wall is seen in all except mycoplasmas.

Microbodies (peroxisomes and glyoxysomes) are NOT found in prokaryotic cells. These are membrane-bound organelles that are exclusive to eukaryotic cells.

Why Microbodies are Absent in Prokaryotes:

Prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles, and microbodies are specialized, membrane-enclosed structures that perform specific metabolic functions such as:

• Breaking down fatty acids
• Detoxifying harmful substances
• Processing hydrogen peroxide

Structures Present in Prokaryotic Cells:

1. Cell Wall ✓
   • Prokaryotes (bacteria) have rigid cell walls made of peptidoglycan
   • Provides structural support and protection
2. Plasma Membrane ✓
   • All prokaryotic cells have a plasma membrane
   • Controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell
3. Ribosomes ✓
   • Prokaryotes contain 70S ribosomes
   • Essential for protein synthesis
   • Found freely floating in the cytoplasm

Key Difference:

The fundamental distinction is that prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles, including:

• Nucleus
• Mitochondria
• Endoplasmic reticulum
• Golgi apparatus
• Microbodies (peroxisomes)

This makes microbodies the correct answer as the structure NOT found in prokaryotic cells.