Prokaryotic cells are cells that do not have a nucleus; instead, there is a region in the cytoplasm called the nucleoid region that contain one or more chromosomes. in some prokaryotic cells, dna can be found in plasmids, small structures outside the nucleoid region that can transfer genes between cells, passing certain traits. these cells divide by binary fission, have no membrane enclosed organelles, and do not sexually reproduce, but the transfer of dna is through a process called conjugation, where only fragments are transferred. prokaryotic cells evolved earlier in earth's history, "before the nucleus" as its name translates to. an example of prokaryotic cells are bacteria.