Question
Question: Are humans prokaryotes or eukaryotes?...
Are humans prokaryotes or eukaryotes?
Solution
The cells are mainly of two types on the basis of presence or absence of true nucleus- prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The organisms in which a distinct nucleus is enclosed in a nuclear membrane are called eukaryotes. They can be unicellular e.g. yeast or multicellular e.g. Spirogyra. The prokaryotes are the organisms in which a single cell is present with no distinct nucleus. E. coli is an example of prokaryote.
Complete answer:
Before proceeding to the answer of the question, we should understand about the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure.
The prokaryotes have a small and simple cell structure with no membrane bound structures or organelles. There are no distinct compartments for various cellular activities. The DNA of the prokaryotes is spread in a region called nucleoid. Most of the prokaryotes have a rigid cell wall which provides protection to the external environment. Bacteria are the prokaryotes.
The eukaryotes have a large and complex cell structure with membrane bound structures called organelles. There are distinct compartments for various cellular activities. The DNA of the eukaryotes is enclosed within a nucleus in chromatin form. Fungi, algae, plants and animals are the eukaryotes.
Humans are eukaryotic, multicellular organisms having a membrane bound nucleus which encloses genetic material of the organism. They have a complex organ system type of body organization. The different organelles such as the golgi body, mitochondria, lysosomes perform different functions. The mitochondria help in the energy production for various cellular activities. The golgi body is involved in the packaging and export of proteins and lipids outside the cell. The lysosomes contain various enzymes which help in the breakdown of non-useful cell parts. These are the characteristic features of eukaryotes. Hence, they are included under the Kingdom Animalia in which all animals are eukaryotes.
Note:
All the cells contain cytoplasm which is viscous in form. It separates the cell membrane and nucleus. The cell membrane is a thin layer that surrounds the cytoplasm. It protects and separates the cell constituents from the outside environment.