Which statement about prokaryotic DNA organization is true?

• A. They have linear DNA organized into multiple chromosomes
• B. They have linear DNA not associated with histone proteins
• C. They have circular DNA not organized into linear chromosomes
• D. They have circular DNA organized into linear chromosomes

Answer: (C)

Prokaryotic genomes are typically circular DNA that exists as a single chromosome in the cytoplasm, within the nucleoid region, rather than being packaged into linear chromosomes. They generally lack histone proteins in bacteria, though some archaea have histone-like proteins, which fits the circular, non-eukaryotic organization. In addition to the main chromosome, many prokaryotes carry small circular DNA molecules called plasmids that replicate independently. This combination—circular DNA and non-linear chromosome structure—is what makes the statement true. The other options describe features characteristic of eukaryotic genomes (linear chromosomes, multiple chromosomes) or imply linear DNA in prokaryotes, which does not fit the typical prokaryotic arrangement.