What type of cells are characterized by having a nuclear membrane and organelles?

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Eukaryotic cells are characterized by having a well-defined nucleus enclosed by a nuclear membrane, as well as various organelles, each performing specific functions that contribute to the overall activities of the cell. The presence of these membrane-bound compartments allows for increased compartmentalization and efficiency within the cell. Organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and the Golgi apparatus facilitate processes like energy production, protein synthesis, and transportation of materials.

This structural complexity enables eukaryotes to carry out more specialized and diverse functions compared to prokaryotes, which lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. While archaea are a type of prokaryote, they share some characteristics with eukaryotes, but they do not possess a nuclear membrane or organelles. Protists, on the other hand, are a diverse group of eukaryotic organisms and share this characteristic, but the term "eukaryotes" encompasses all organisms within that domain, not just those classified as protists. Therefore, the best answer that encompasses the essential features of these cells is eukaryotes.

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