* pro- (from Greek "prōtos") means "before" or "first"
* karyo- (from Greek "karyon") means "nucleus" or "nut" (referring to the cell nucleus)
When combined, "prokaryo" refers to an organism that lacks a true nucleus. These are simple, single-celled organisms like bacteria and archaea.
Here's a breakdown:
* Prokaryotic cell: A cell that lacks a membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
* Eukaryotic cell: A cell that has a membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
Therefore, the prefix "pro-" in "prokaryote" indicates that these cells are simpler and evolved before eukaryotic cells.