differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

The main one is that a eukaryotic cell has a nucleus, double membranes around organelles and more complex organelles whereas prokaryotic cells do not have these things and are a lot simpler, often single celled organisms.

Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells are two fundamental categories of cellular life with distinct structural and organizational differences. Prokaryotic cells are characterized by their simplicity, lacking a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Their genetic material resides in a nucleoid region, without the protection of a nuclear membrane. In contrast, eukaryotic cells exhibit a higher degree of complexity, featuring a well-defined nucleus that houses the genetic material within a protective nuclear membrane. Additionally, eukaryotes possess various membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus, which enable specialized functions within the cell. This contrast in cellular structure highlights the evolutionary divergence between prokaryotic and eukaryotic life forms, each adapted to specific ecological niches and biological processes.

One of the key differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is that prokaryotic cells do not contain a nucleus or any membrane bound organelles whereas eukaryotic cells both contain a nucleus and membrane bound organelles.

prokaryotic cells are always unicellular whereas eukaryotic cells are either unicellular or multicellular

another difference is that in prokaryotic cells DNA is arranged in a circular shape whereas in eukaryotic cells it is linear.

Prokaryotic cells are found in prokaryotes that are always unicellular, eukaryotic cells are usually in multi-celled organisms. Eukaryotic cells are larger than prokaryotic cells. The DNA in eukaryotes is stored within the nucleus, while DNA of prokariotic cells is stored in the cytoplasm.

At its simplest prokaryotic cells are always unicellular, with no nucleus and therefore contain their DNA in the cytoplasm. Eukaryotic cells are part of a multicellular organism and contain DNA in the nucleus

Hi there Elizabeth, good question!

Cells can be categorised into two main groups: prokaryotic or eukaryotic.

Prokaryotes

Examples: Bacteria, archea,

Structure: Only single-cellular

Membrane-bound organelles?: NO

Unique features: slime capsule, flagellum, pili

Eukaryotic

Examples: Animal cells, fungi, protisia, plant cells

Structure: Mostly multi-cellular except fungal yeast cells!

Membrane-bound organelles?: YES

Unique features: nucleus, mitochondria, SER, RER

They can also be similar. Both groups have DNA, ribosomes, a cell membrane, and are alive.

Eukaryotic

• DNA is enclosed in a nucleus
• DNA is linear and larger
• DNA has both introns (non-coding) and exons (coding)
• Bigger
• Have membrane- bound organelles such as mitochondria
• Have 80S ribosomes
• Do not have plasmids
• Do not have a flagellum

Prokaryotic

• DNA is not enclosed in a nucleus but is free in the cytoplasm
• DNA is circular and smaller
• DNA has only exons (coding)
• Smaller
• Don't have any membrane-bound organelles
• Has 70S ribosomes
• Has plasmids
• Can have a flagellum

Eukaryotic cells are membrane bound organelles and is part of unicellular and multicellular organisms. Prokaryotic cells are none membrane bound organelles and are not part of unicellar organisms

A prokaryotic cell do not have a nucleus whereas eukaryotic cell has a membrane bound nucleus.

Eukaryotic cells have membrane bounded nucleus and membrane bounded organelles and prokaryotic cells don't

Example: A plant cell has Chloroplast (which has a double membrane ) and nucleus which is surrounded by nuclear membrane but prokaryotic cells have Naked DNA meaning circular DNA without a nuclear membrane.

As a result a bacterial cell (Prokaryotic cell )

Will not have

mitochondria

chloroplast

RER

SER

Golgi body

Because all of these organelles are surrounded by membrane.

There are a number of differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, but the main being complexity and size. Eukaryotes are far more advanced with a fully formed nucleus, as opposed to a single molecule of DNA, mitochondria and chloroplasts (in plants).

Prokaryotes are made up of one single cell, while Eukaryotes are multi-celled organisms. Eukaryotic cells are far larger and more complex also.

Prokaryotic cells lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, are smaller, have a cell wall made of peptidoglycan, and reproduce through binary fission. Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, membrane-bound organelles, are larger, may have a cell wall (in plants), and reproduce through mitosis or meiosis.

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells differs by the structure of nucleus. Where prokaryotic doesn't have a well defined nucleus or membrane bound organelles and eukaryotic owns a well defined nucleus and membrane bound organelles.

There are several key features that differ across both types of cells:

1) Membrane-bound organelles

-prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles (e.g mitochondria, Golgi apparatus)

-eukaryotic cells have a variety of membrane-bound organelles

2) cell division

-prokaryotic cells divide by Binary Fission where the parent cell replicates its DNA and splits into 2 identical daughter cells

--eukaryotic cells divide though mitosis (somatic cells) and meiosis (reproductive cells) depending on the type of cell

3) ribosomes

-prokaryotic cells have smaller ribosomes (70S)

-eukaryotic cells have larger ribosomes (80S)

4) nucleus

-prokaryotic cells do not have nuclei but they have a nucleoid region where the genetic material (DNA) is located. this DNA is not enclosed by a membrane.

-eukaryotic cells have a nucleus enclosed by a double layered-membrane (nuclear envelope)

5) genetic material

-prokaryotic cells usually have a single, circular chromosome

-eukaryotic cells have multiple linear chromosomes, made of chromatin