What term describes organisms with a nuclear membrane surrounding their genetic material?

Organisms with a nuclear membrane surrounding their genetic material are classified as eukaryotes. This distinction is crucial in biology as it separates them from prokaryotes, which lack a defined nuclear membrane. Eukaryotic cells possess a well-organized structure that includes not only a nucleus but also other membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum.

Eukaryotes can be unicellular or multicellular and include a diverse range of organisms, from fungi and plants to animals. The presence of a nuclear membrane allows for increased complexity in cellular processes, including regulated gene expression and RNA processing that are not found in prokaryotes. Thus, the term eukaryote not only signifies the presence of a nucleus but also implies a higher level of cellular organization, which has significant implications for the physiology and evolution of these organisms.