What is the most important characteristic of eukaryotic cells that distinguishes it from prokaryotic cells?

The most important characteristic of eukaryotic cells that distinguishes it from prokaryotic cells is the presence of a membrane-bound nucleus that contains linear DNA. Prokaryotic cells do not have a membrane-bound nucleus. Instead, they have an irregularly-shaped nucleoid that contains a single circular DNA. The nucleoid occupies the central region of the cell.