differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

There are several differences between the two, but main one between them is that eukaryotic cells have a distinct nucleus containing the cells genetic material, while prokaryotic cells don’t have a nucleus and have free floating genetic material instead.

Hi Elizabeth, the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is the nucleus. Prokaryotic cells do not contain a nucleus to store the DNA, but eukaryotic cells do contain a nucleus to store the DNA. Hope this helps!

The biggest difference is Eukaryotic cells have 'membrane bound' organelles. That means they have things inside them like the nucleus and the mitochondria which are surrounded by a membrane. This is very useful for compartmentalising the cell (i.e. certain molecules are kept in certain parts of the cell).

Prokaryotic cells have no membrane bound organelles at all, so everything just 'floats' around inside the cell without be segregated at all.

Hope this helps!

Eukaryotic cells consist of having a nucleus, with it’s genetic material, but prokaryotic cells, do not have a nucleus but they have a free floating genetic material

genetic information in eukaryotes is stored in a nucleus in prokaryotes genetic information is not stored. Animal cells are examples of eukaryotic cells. Bacterial cells are example of prokaryotes

Prokaryotic cells are unicellular, which means the whole organism is made up of that one cell. Eukaryotic cells are often multi-cellular, which means many cells make up an organism.

Prokaryotic cells have circular DNA free in the cytoplasm, and they also contain a plasmid ring which also contains DNA

Eukaryotic cells have DNA contained in the nucleus, and organelles which are covered in a membrane.

Prokaryotic cells have no nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts or any membrane-bound organelles, unlike eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells have plasmids and a loop of genetic material instead of chromosomes and some have a slime capsule.

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

eukaryotic cell have clear defined round nucleus but prokaryotes don't

eukaryotic cells have large ribosomes but prokaryotic have small ribosomes

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