prokaryote: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Technical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “prokaryote” mean?
A unicellular organism lacking a membrane-bound nucleus and other organelles.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A unicellular organism lacking a membrane-bound nucleus and other organelles.
A fundamental classification of life, encompassing bacteria and archaea, characterized by simpler cellular structure compared to eukaryotes. The term is central to the dichotomy in cellular biology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The spelling is universally 'prokaryote', though the older 'procaryote' is found in some historical texts in both regions.
Connotations
None specific to region.
Frequency
Equally infrequent in everyday speech in both regions, but standard and frequent within biological sciences.
Grammar
How to Use “prokaryote” in a Sentence
The [noun] is a prokaryote.[Noun] belongs to the domain of prokaryotes.Scientists classify [noun] as a prokaryote.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “prokaryote” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The prokaryotic cell structure is remarkably efficient.
- They studied the prokaryotic transcription process.
American English
- Prokaryotic DNA is typically circular.
- This represents a key prokaryotic metabolic pathway.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Core term in biology, microbiology, and related life sciences. Used in textbooks, research papers, and lectures.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation outside of specific educational contexts.
Technical
Essential terminology in laboratory science, medical research, genetics, and evolutionary biology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “prokaryote”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “prokaryote”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “prokaryote”
- Misspelling as 'prokaryot' (missing the 'e').
- Using 'prokaryote' as an adjective (the correct adjective is 'prokaryotic').
- Pronouncing it with the stress on the first syllable (/ˈproʊkəraɪˌoʊt/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, all bacteria are prokaryotes. However, not all prokaryotes are bacteria; the domain also includes archaea.
The opposite is a eukaryote. Eukaryotes (animals, plants, fungi, protists) have cells with a membrane-bound nucleus and other organelles.
In British English, it's /prəʊˈkærɪɒt/ (pro-CARRY-ot). In American English, it's /proʊˈkæriˌoʊt/ (pro-CARRY-oat).
It is primarily a noun. The corresponding adjective is 'prokaryotic' (e.g., a prokaryotic cell).
A unicellular organism lacking a membrane-bound nucleus and other organelles.
Prokaryote is usually formal, technical, academic in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'PRO' (before) + 'KARYON' (nucleus). A prokaryote is an organism from a time BEFORE complex, membrane-bound nuclei evolved.
Conceptual Metaphor
Foundational / Primitive Building Block. Prokaryotes are often conceptualized as the basic, original 'Lego bricks' of life from which more complex structures (eukaryotes) were built.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a defining characteristic of a prokaryote?