Biology AP Prokaryotes Campbell

Overview: They?re (Almost) Everywhere! ? Prokaryotes were the earliest organisms on Earth. ? Today, they still dominate the biosphere. ? Their collective biomass outweighs all eukaryotes combined at least tenfold. ? More prokaryotes inhabit a handful of fertile soil or the mouth or skin of a human than the total number of people who have ever lived. ? Prokaryotes are wherever there is life. ? They thrive in habitats that are too cold, too hot, too salty, too acidic, or too alkaline for any eukaryote. ? Prokaryotes have even been discovered in rocks two miles below the surface of the Earth. ? Why have these organisms dominated the biosphere since the origin of life on Earth? ? Prokaryotes display diverse adaptations that allow them to inhabit many environments.