Characteristics of prokaryotic cell: Prokaryotic cells like blue green algae, bacteria and mycoplasma lack a well-organised nucleus with a membrane and two-layered membrane-bound organelles. It lacks a nucleus and the organelle equivalent to the nucleus is called prokaryon or nucleoid. Genetic material is not in the form of chromosomes but in the form of naked nucleic acid. There is absence of histone protein and there is no sexual division of mitosis in them. There is no complete development of membrane bound organelles in the cytoplasm. Ribosomes are also of 70S type. The structure of flagella is also not 9+2.
They lack mitochondria but due to involution of the plasma membrane, mesosomes are formed, through which respiration takes place. Nucleolus, nuclear membrane and nucleus are absent; hence the genetic material is scattered in the centre of the cell.