How do prokaryotic cells differ from eukaryotic cells in terms of organelles?

Prokaryotic cells are characterized by their relatively simple structure compared to eukaryotic cells. One of the primary differences in organelle composition is that prokaryotic cells generally have fewer organelles, as they lack membrane-bound organelles. For instance, prokaryotes do not have a nucleus, mitochondria, or endoplasmic reticulum, which are commonly found in eukaryotic cells. Instead, the genetic material in prokaryotic cells resides in a region called the nucleoid and is not enclosed by a membrane.

Moreover, while prokaryotic cells do have ribosomes for protein synthesis, these ribosomes are smaller than those found in eukaryotic cells. Thus, the simpler organization and fewer types of organelles in prokaryotes highlight their distinction from eukaryotic cells, reaffirming that they possess fewer organelles overall.