Composition of a typical prokaryotic cell

Prokaryotic cells are commonly simpler and smaller than eukaryotic cells. The Prokaryotic cells have genetic material which is not contained in a nucleus. Some also contain internal membranes. Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms which are the earliest and most primitive forms of life on earth. The organized in the Three Domain System prokaryotes include bacteria and archaeans. Prokaryotes are able to live and thrive in various types of environments including extreme habitats like as hydrothermal swamps, vents, hot springs wetlands and the guts of animals.

They have no true nucleus as DNA is not contained within a membrane or separated from the rest of the cell but are coiled up in a region of the cytoplasm called the nucleoid.