Prokaryote structure

Generalized bacterium

1. pericytoplasmic space
2. cytoplasmic membrane
3. cell wall
4. capsule
5. pili
6. cytoplasm
7. cytoplasmic nucleoid
8. 70s ribosomes
9. plasmid
10. flagellum (monotrichous)
11. pore within pilus

Prokaryotes mostly possess one or two* chromosomes termed nucleoids (tem). Because prokaryotes lack a membrane enclosed nucleus their DNA is usually contained in circular structures located within the cytosol, but may be organized as linear strands that are typically attached to the cytoplasmic membrane. Plasmids are small circular, extrachromosomal genetic elements that can be transmitted from one bacterium to another through the pili during conjugation.

*for example, Vibrio cholerae and Deinococcus radiodurans