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GCSE

Cells and Control

Question

differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

1 year ago

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256 Replies

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E

Elizabeth Dempsey



256 Answers

T
Tejaswini Raj Mohan

There are few aspects between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells that differ, some of which are:

  • Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus - the loop of DNA is free in the cytoplasm, whilst in eukaryotic cells the DNA is enclosed in a nucleus
  • Prokaryotic cells have additional loops of DNA called plasmids, however eukaryotic cells don't have any plasmids
  • Prokaryotic cells are encased by a cell wall, however eukaryotic cells don't have a cell wall around them
  • Prokaryotic cells don't have any membrane-bound organelles such as a nucleus or mitochondria, however eukaryotic cells do have membrane-bound organelles within them
  • Prokaryotic cells tend to be unicellular whilst eukaryotic cells tend to be multicellular
F
Fatima Ahmadzada

Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus while eukaryotic cells do. Also, prokaryotic cells do not have membrane-bound organelles and are significantly smaller than eukaryotic cells

A
Adam Khan

The difference between a prokaryotic cell and a eukaryotic cell is that a prokaryotic cell does not have a nucleus (such as a bacteria cell) and eukaryotic cells have a nucleus (animal and plant cells).

I
Iman G Osman

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

eukaryotic cells have large ribosomes but prokaryotic have small ribosomes

A
Ashley Cahigu

Prokaryotic cells have no nucleus and no membrane-bound organelles (such as e, chloroplast etc). Whereas, eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

H
Hardeep

Hi!


Prokaryotic cells are cells that aren't from animals or plants. They may originate from bacteria and other microorganisms. Prokaryotic cells have no nucleus, but rather store DNA in small loops called plasmids, unlike eukaryotes. Prokaryotic cells also may have flagella (tails to help them move) or slime capsules to help them escape white blood cells. On the contrary eukaryotic cells have neither.


I hope that helps!

M
Momina Yahya

Prokaryotic cells are always unicellular. There is a single cell that makes up their whole body and existence. Since they are unicellular so they can't be seen with a naked eye, can only be seen through a microscope. While eukaryotic are made of more than 1 upto millions of cells. They can and cannot be seen through naked eye. Bacteria is a good example of prokaryotic cells, while plant cells are a good example of eukaryotic cells.

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A prokaryotic cell e.g bacteria does not have a nucleus, whereas eukaryotic cells such as animal and plant cells do.

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K
Khadija Ahmadzai



  1. Nucleus:
  • Prokaryotic cells: Lack a nucleus. Instead, their genetic material is located in the nucleoid region, which is a dense, centrally located region within the cell.
  • Eukaryotic cells: Have a true nucleus enclosed within a membrane, which contains the cell's DNA.
  1. Membrane-bound Organelles:
  • Prokaryotic cells: Lack membrane-bound organelles.
  • Eukaryotic cells: Contain membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and others.
  1. Size:
  • Prokaryotic cells: Generally smaller, typically ranging from 0.1 to 5 micrometers in diameter.
  • Eukaryotic cells: Generally larger, with diameters typically ranging from 10 to 100 micrometers.
  1. Genetic Material:
  • Prokaryotic cells: Have a single, circular chromosome composed of DNA.
  • Eukaryotic cells: Have multiple linear chromosomes composed of DNA, usually found in pairs (diploid) or multiples (polyploid).
  1. Ribosomes:
  • Prokaryotic cells: Have smaller ribosomes (70S) consisting of a 50S and a 30S subunit.
  • Eukaryotic cells: Have larger ribosomes (80S) consisting of a 60S and a 40S subunit.
  1. Cell Division:
  • Prokaryotic cells: Divide by binary fission, a simpler form of cell division.
  • Eukaryotic cells: Divide by mitosis (for somatic cells) or meiosis (for gametes), more complex processes involving multiple stages.
  1. Cytoplasmic Structures:
  • Prokaryotic cells: Have fewer internal structures and organelles.
  • Eukaryotic cells: Have a more complex cytoplasm with various organelles performing specialized functions.
  1. Cell Wall Composition:
  • Prokaryotic cells: Cell walls, when present, are composed of peptidoglycan (in bacteria) or pseudopeptidoglycan (in archaea).
  • Eukaryotic cells: Cell walls, when present, are composed of cellulose (in plants), chitin (in fungi), or a combination of proteins and carbohydrates (in some protists).






M
Marian-Elvis Arcan

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are two fundamental types of cells that differ in their structure and organization. Here are the key differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells:


1. Nucleus:


Prokaryotic Cells: Lack of a true nucleus. The genetic material is present in the nucleoid region, which is not membrane-bound.

Eukaryotic Cells: Have a true nucleus enclosed in a membrane. The genetic material is located in the nucleus.


2. Genetic Material:


Prokaryotic Cells: Have a single, circular DNA molecule in the nucleoid.

Eukaryotic Cells: Have multiple linear DNA molecules organized into chromosomes within the nucleus.


Ribosomes:

  • Prokaryotic Cells: Have smaller ribosomes.
  • Eukaryotic Cells: Have larger ribosomes.


M
Mandeep Kaur

Eukaryotes are plants and animals whereas,Prokayotes are bacteria and fungi

N
Naeema Yasmin Miah

Examples of Eukaryotic cells are Animal cells and Plant cells. An example of Prokaryotic cells are Bacterial cells.

  • Eukaryotic cells contain their genetic material- DNA, enclosed in a nucleus. Whereas in Prokaryotic cells, the genetic material- DNA, is not enclosed in a nucleus.
  • In Prokaryotic cells genetic material is found in a single loop of DNA and small rings of DNA known as Plasmids.
  • Prokaryotic cells have a singular chromosome located in the Nucleoid, whereas Eukaryotic cells have multiple linear chromosomes located in the Nucleus.
  • Prokaryotic cells measure around 1- 10 μm, whilst Eukaryotic cells are 5 - 100μm, therefore Prokaryotic cells are significantly smaller than Eukaryotic cells.
  • In Prokaryotic cells membrane bound organelles are absent whilst they are present in Eukaryotic cells. Examples include; Mitochondria, Golgi Apparatus & Endoplasmic Reticulum.
H
Hasan Bhatti

Nucleus: Prokaryotic cells have no true nucleus, the DNA floats freely in the cytoplasm in a region called the nucleoid. Whereas Eukaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus that separates the genetic material (DNA) from the cytoplasm.


Organelles: Prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles. Whereas Eukaryotic cells have many membrane-bound organelles that perform specific functions, like mitochondria (energy production), endoplasmic reticulum (protein synthesis and transport), Golgi apparatus (packaging and secretion), and lysosomes (waste disposal).


Size: Prokaryotic cells are generally much smaller and simpler than eukaryotic cells.

Other Differences:


DNA Structure: Prokaryotic DNA is usually circular, while eukaryotic DNA is linear.

Organisms: Prokaryotes are unicellular (single-celled) organisms like bacteria and archaea. Eukaryotes can be unicellular (amoeba) or multicellular (plants, animals, fungi).

A
Asif

The main difference is that eukaryotic cells have a distinct nucleus which tells the cell what to do but prokaryotic cells don't have one, though they have free floating genetic material in the cytoplasm of the cell.

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Prokaryotic cells Eukaryotic cells

No nucleus. Nucleus.

Genetic information Genetic information contained in nucleus.

contained in plasmids

or free in cell.

Usually unicellular. Multicellular.

Bacteria. Plants and animals.

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