* eu- (εὖ) meaning "good" or "true"
* karyon (κάρυον) meaning "nut" or "kernel"
Therefore, "eukaryote" literally means "true kernel" or "true nut."
Here's why this name is appropriate:
Eukaryotes are cells that have a true nucleus enclosed within a membrane. This nucleus contains the cell's genetic material (DNA) and is distinct from the cytoplasm.
In contrast, prokaryotes (like bacteria and archaea) lack a true nucleus. Their DNA is located in a region called the nucleoid, which is not separated from the rest of the cell by a membrane.
So, "eukaryote" is a fitting term because it emphasizes the true, membrane-bound nucleus that distinguishes these cells from prokaryotes.