Which of the following organelles are absent in prokaryotic cells?

(1) Nucleus

(2) Mitochondria

(3) Endoplasmic reticulum

(4) Golgi apparatus

Explanation

Prokaryotic cells lack all membrane-bound organelles:

• No nucleus - genetic material sits in the nucleoid
• No mitochondria - energy metabolism occurs across the plasma membrane
• No endoplasmic reticulum or Golgi apparatus

However, prokaryotes do have:

• Ribosomes (smaller than eukaryotic ones, but present)
• Plasma membrane (and often a cell wall)