Eukaryotic genetics encompasses the study of heredity in multicellular and unicellular organisms the have a true nucleus with a defined nuclear membrane. Accordingly, eukaryotic genetics excludes the study of prokaryotes (e.g., bacteria).

The cells of eukaryotes range in size from 10-50 micrometers in diameter and contain a complex internal organization comprised of membrane bound organelles that carry out specialized cellular functions. The nucleus of eukaryotic cells separates the genetic material from the cytoplasm by a nuclear envelope. In sharp contrast to eukaryotic organisms, single-celled prokaryotes range in size from 1-5 micrometers in diameter and have a simple internal organization. Prokaryotes do not have membrane bound organelles or a nucleus to house its genetic material. Instead, bacteria have a nucleoid, which has no surrounding membrane to contain the single molecule of circular DNA. Because there is no nuclear membrane, translation and transcription may occur simultaneously in...