Final answer:
The characteristic used to distinguish prokaryotes from eukaryote fossils is size, with prokaryotic cells being generally smaller than eukaryotic cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic used to distinguish prokaryotes from eukaryote fossils is size. Prokaryotic cells are typically smaller than eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotes, including bacteria and archaea, generally have cells measuring 1 or 2 µm in diameter, while eukaryotic cells, such as those of plants and animals, are usually larger, measuring 10 µm or more. Additionally, prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles and a defined nucleus, which differentiates them from eukaryotic cells. The characteristic used to distinguish prokaryotes from eukaryote fossils is size. Most prokaryotic cells are smaller, with a higher surface-to-volume ratio than eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells typically range from 1-2 µm in size, while eukaryotic cells are generally larger, measuring 10 µm or greater.
However, when it comes to recognizing fossils, size is the key factor used to distinguish between the two. Fossil evidence shows that the earliest eukaryotic structures appeared around 2.1 billion years ago, whereas prokaryotic organisms such as cyanobacteria have been traced back to 3.5 to 3.8 billion years ago.