differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

prokaryotic cells are simple and less complex than eukaryotic cells. They have a single membrane and differ in DNA. Their DNA is cyclical and lack the double helix structure found in eukaryotic cells

Eukaryotic cells include animal cells, plant cells and fungi. Prokaryotic cells include bacteria. There are many differences that separate them:

Firstly prokaryotic cells are a lot smaller in size compared to eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells are often only 0.5-5 micro metres in diameter, whilst eukaryotic cells can be up to 100 micro metres in diameter.

In Eukaryotic cells, the DNA is tightly packed together using proteins called histones to form chromosomes, which is stored in the nucleus and away from the cytoplasm. In prokaryotic cells, this DNA exists as a circular molecule of DNA which sits in the cytoplasm.

In eukaryotic cells, cell division occurs via mitosis or meiosis and requires the formation of spindle fibres to help separate the chromosomes. In prokaryotic cells, cell division is via a process called binary fission, and no spindle fibres are formed.

Prokaryotic cells contain few organelles and none of these are membrane bound. In eukaryotic cells, there are a lot more organelles present. Many are surrounded by their own membranes. Some are surrounded by single membranes including lysosomes, golgi apparatus and vacuoles (in plants). Other organelles are surrounded by 2 membranes e.g. the nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplast etc.

The ribosomes are larger in eukaryotic cells and are 80s, whilst in prokaryotic cells these exist as smaller 70s ribosomes.

The cell wall is made of peptidoglycan in prokaryotic cells. In eukaryotic cells, animal cells don't have cell walls but plant cells are surrounded by a cell wall made of cellulose and fungi are surrounded by a cell wall made of chitin.

When we look at cells, we can divide them into two main types: prokaryotic and eukaryotic. These two types of cells are quite different in several key ways, but both are essential to life in different forms.

Examples of prokaryotic cells include bacteria and archaea, organisms that are often much smaller and simpler than eukaryotes. Despite this, prokaryotic cells (such as bacteria) are incredibly efficient and can live in extreme environments like boiling hot springs or deep-sea vents. Some can even survive in space! Eukaryotic cells, on the other hand, make up all plants, animals, fungi, and protists—organisms that are typically much more complex.

One of the biggest differences is the nucleus. Prokaryotic cells don’t have a true nucleus. Instead, their genetic material floats freely in a region called the nucleoid, which isn't enclosed by a membrane. In contrast, eukaryotic cells have a clearly defined, membrane-bound nucleus where the genetic material (DNA) is safely stored and protected.

When it comes to their DNA, prokaryotic cells have circular DNA that just floats around in the cytoplasm, while eukaryotic cells have long, linear DNA organized into chromosomes inside the nucleus. This organization makes it easier for eukaryotic cells to manage their genetic information.

Another major difference is the presence of organelles. Prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria or chloroplasts. Everything they need to carry out their life processes is contained within the cell membrane or the cytoplasm. Eukaryotic cells, however, have a variety of membrane-bound organelles that carry out specialized tasks—like mitochondria for energy production and, in plant cells, chloroplasts for photosynthesis.

There are many more ways that prokaryotic and eukaryotic diverge but I hope this gives you a flavour.

Prokaryotic cells do not have a true nucleus as an organelle, whereas eukaryotic cells do have a nucleus.

eukaryotic cells are in animals and prokaryotic cells

Prokaryotic cells are smaller, lack a nucleus, and membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells are larger, have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Prokaryotic cells divide by binary fission, have circular DNA, smaller ribosomes, and may have a cell wall made of peptidoglycan. Eukaryotic cells divide by mitosis or meiosis, have linear DNA, larger ribosomes, and may have a cell wall made of cellulose or chitin.

Eukaryotic cells are generally larger.

Eukaryotes have cell membranes surrounded by cell walls in plants and fungi.

Prokaryotes have cell walls.

Prokaryotic cells do not have mitochondria or ribosomes and their genetic material is found free in the cytoplasm - there is no nucleus. There may also be plasmids.

Cell division in eukaryotic cells is via mitosis whilst prokaryotic cells undergo binary fission.

Hi Elizebeth,

Thanks for your question.

So cells come in two main types:

prokaryotic

eukaryotic.

Prokaryotic cells are simpler and smaller. They do not have a nucleus or other specialised structures called organelles that are enclosed by membranes. This means their genetic material, DNA, is not stored in a nucleus but is instead found in a region of the cell called the nucleoid. Bacteria are a common example of organisms with prokaryotic cells.

Eukaryotic cells, on the other hand, are more complex and larger. They have a defined nucleus, where the DNA is kept separate from the rest of the cell. Eukaryotic cells also contain various membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria (power generators of the cell), endoplasmic reticulum (where proteins and lipids are made), and Golgi apparatus (sorts and packages proteins). Plants, animals, fungi, and protists are all made up of eukaryotic cells.

In summary, the key difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is in their complexity: prokaryotic cells are basic with no nucleus or membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and organelles, making them more complex and capable of performing a wider range of functions.

Eukaryotic has nucleus but prokaryotic doesn’t,eukaryotic has membrane bound organelle,eukaryotic is larger ,eukaryotic is multicellular and prokaryotic is unicellular

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, prokaryotic cells do not.

Eukaryotic examples are animal and plant cells

Prokaryotic example would be bacterial cell

PROKARYOTIC CELLS:

• are always unicellular and tend to be smaller
• DNA is stored within the cytoplasm
• no membrane bound nucleus
• cell division by binary fission

EUKARYOTIC CELLS:

• can be unicellular or multicellular and tend to be larger
• DNA is stored within the nucleus
• has a membrane bound nucleus
• cell division by mitosis and meiosis

Hi,

At GCSE you need to know that: Eukaryotic cells have membrane bound organelles, and have their DNA within a nucleus. Prokaryotic cells do not have membrane bound organelles and have their DNA in the cytoplasm, for example a bacterium cell.

Similarities:

1. Cell Membrane: Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have a cell membrane.

2. Genetic Material: They both contain genetic material (DNA)

Differences:

1. Nucleus: Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus, while eukaryotic cells have a nucleus.

2. Membrane-bound Organelles: Eukaryotic cells possess membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria, which are absent in prokaryotic cells.

3. Cell Size: Prokaryotic cells are generally smaller, while eukaryotic cells can be larger and more complex.

4. DNA Structure: Prokaryotic cells have a single circular DNA molecule, while eukaryotic cells have multiple linear DNA molecules forming chromosomes.

The main difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is that eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles, meaning that their sub cellular components such as the mitochondria, and most importantly the nucleus (where the DNA is kept) are surrounded by an extra layer of protection known as a membrane.

In prokaryotic cells, all sub cellular structures are floating around in the cytoplasm, even the DNA; though the DNA is coiled up and mostly floats in an area of the cell known as the nucleoid.

There are some other major differences, such as prokaryotic are really small in comparison to eukaryotes, their chromosomes are circular and short, where as eukaryotes have linear and longer chromosomes and the type of ribosomes that they have are also different.

Eukaryotic - a nucleus

Prokaryotic - a free-floating strand of DNA

Eukaryotic - large ribosomes

Prokaryotic - smaller ribosomes

Prokaryotic - no mitochondria

Eukaryotic - mitochondria