What are three characteristics found in prokaryotic cells?

1. Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus. In eukaryotes, the nucleus is the organelle that contains the cell's DNA. In prokaryotes, the DNA is loose in the cell. The area that contains prokaryotic DNA is called the nucleoid. The nucleoid is not enclosed by a membrane. Try not to be confused by the nucleoid - it is not a structure, it is simply the location occupied by prokaryotic DNA within the cell.

2. Prokaryotes do not have other organelles. Organelles are the membrane enclosed inner compartments of cells. Eukaryotes have many organelles, such as mitochondria, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the golgi. Organelles have very specific functions. 

3. Prokaryotes also have a circular DNA sequence. Eukaryotes, on the other hand, have linear DNA. Prokaryotes typically have much smaller genomes than eukaryotes as well.