Which of the following is not a characteristic of prokaryotic cells?

Prokaryotic cells are defined by several key characteristics. One of the most distinguishing features is the absence of a nucleus. Prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria and archaea, have their genetic material located in a region called the nucleoid, which is not enclosed by a membrane. This contrasts with eukaryotic cells, which contain a true nucleus that houses their DNA within a nuclear membrane.

In addition to lacking a nucleus, prokaryotic cells are also characterized by the absence of membrane-bound organelles, which are specialized structures within eukaryotic cells that perform various functions. Prokaryotic cells are typically smaller in size compared to eukaryotic cells, and they primarily reproduce asexually, often through a process known as binary fission, where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells.

Thus, the presence of a nucleus is the key feature that differentiates prokaryotic cells from eukaryotic cells, confirming that it is the characteristic that does not apply to prokaryotes.