The genetic material of bacteria is found in

Bacteria are prokaryotic organisms that lack a well-defined, membrane-bound nucleus [3]. Instead, their genetic material, which typically consists of a single circular chromosome and smaller DNA molecules called plasmids, is located directly within the cytoplasm [1]. This genetic material is concentrated in an irregularly shaped, non-membrane-bound region known as the nucleoid [1]. While eukaryotic cells store their DNA within a nucleus, the prokaryotic chromosome sits in the gel-like matrix of the cytoplasm, where essential functions like replication and metabolism occur. Ribosomes are present in the cytoplasm for protein synthesis, and the cell membrane encloses the entire cytoplasmic contents, but neither serves as the storage site for the primary genetic material [2]. Therefore, the genetic material of bacteria is found in the cytoplasm.

Sources

1. [1] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > 2.5 Why Is Cell Considered to Be a Basic Unit of Life? > p. 24
2. [3] http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/genome-packaging-in-prokaryotes-the-circular-chromosome-9113
3. [2] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > Activity 2.3: Let us investigate > p. 12