No, onion cells are not prokaryotic. They are eukaryotic.
Several sources incorrectly state that onion cells are prokaryotic. This is a mistake. Onion cells, being plant cells, possess a membrane-bound nucleus and other organelles, defining characteristics of eukaryotic cells.
Understanding Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
- Prokaryotic cells: These are simpler cells lacking a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Bacteria and archaea are examples of organisms composed of prokaryotic cells. Their DNA resides in a region called the nucleoid. [Source: https://www.nku.edu/~whitsonma/Bio150LSite/Lab%205%20Cells/Bio150LRCellTypes.htm]
- Eukaryotic cells: These are more complex cells containing a nucleus enclosed by a membrane, which houses the cell's genetic material (DNA). They also have other membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria, chloroplasts (in plant cells), and the endoplasmic reticulum. Plants, animals, fungi, and protists are composed of eukaryotic cells. [Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_(biology)]
Onion cells, as plant cells, clearly fall into the eukaryotic category. They possess a cell wall, a large central vacuole, and a nucleus containing their genetic information. [Source: https://www.vedantu.com/question-answer/onion-cells-and-cheek-cells-are-the-examples-of-class-12-biology-cbse-5f9b9476dce72708e4780e34]
The statement "Onion cells and cheek cells are the examples of prokaryotic cell" found in some references is factually incorrect. These are commonly used examples of eukaryotic cells in biology education, demonstrating the fundamental differences between plant and animal cells.
