differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

Hey Elizabeth, The prokaryotic cells are mainly bacterial cells and the eukaryotic cells are the human cells. Now the main difference between them can is that the prokaryotic cells have a cell wall whereas the eukaryotic cells do not. Another difference can be that the genetic material in the prokaryotic cells is not membrane-bound whereas in the eukaryotic cells they can be membrane-bound( nucleus). The eukaryotes have 80s ribosomes whereas the prokaryotes contain 70s ribosomes. The prokaryotes contain plasmids whereas the eukaryotes do not. There are also other differences but I hope this helps :)

There are several differences betwee the eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cells as follows:

1. Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria, nucleus etc. while prokaryotic cell do not have any membrane-bound organelles which means there is no nuclear envelop so no nucleus and no mitochondria etc.
2. Eukaryotic cells may be unicellular or multicellular, for example amoeba which is single-cell organism and mammals including humans which are all multicellular organisms. Prokaryotic cells, on the other hand, are always unicellular, like bacteria.
3. Eukaryotic cells are usually much larger than the prokaryotic cells.
4. Eukaryotic cells have DNA in the form of chromosomes inside the nucleus which contain histone proteins, however, prokaryotic cells have DNA in circular form present in the cytoplasm and it lacks histones as well, and additionally they also have many circular fragments of DNA called plasmids.
5. Eukaryotic DNA has plenty of non-coding DNA but prokaryotic DNA does not have such junk DNA.
6. The ribosomes in eukaryotic cells are large i.e. 80S (composed of 40S and 60S subunits) but in prokaryotic cells ribosomes are smaller i.e. 70S (composed of 30S and 50S subunits).

Nucleus:

Prokaryotic: Lacks a true nucleus; genetic material is in the nucleoid region.

Eukaryotic: Contains a well-defined nucleus where genetic material is enclosed in a membrane.

Membrane-Bound Organelles:

Prokaryotic: Lacks membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryotic: Contains various membrane-bound organelles like the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, and more.

Cell Size:

Prokaryotic: Generally smaller in size (1-5 micrometers).

Eukaryotic: Typically larger and more complex (10-100 micrometers).

Cell Division:

Prokaryotic: Reproduces through binary fission.

Eukaryotic: Undergoes mitosis or meiosis for cell division.

Genetic Material:

Prokaryotic: Usually a single, circular DNA molecule.

Eukaryotic: Multiple linear DNA molecules associated with histone proteins.

Ribosomes:

Prokaryotic: Smaller ribosomes (70S).

Eukaryotic: Larger ribosomes (80S).

Cell Wall:

Prokaryotic: May have a rigid cell wall made of peptidoglycan.

Eukaryotic: Plant cells have a cellulose cell wall; animal cells lack a cell wall.

Flagella:

Prokaryotic: Simpler flagella.

Eukaryotic: More complex flagella composed of microtubules.

Reproduction:

Prokaryotic: Asexual reproduction is common.

Eukaryotic: Reproduction can be both asexual and sexual.

eukaryotic cells have a double-envelope bound nucleus which contains all of the cell’s DNA but prokaryotic cells have no nucleus but rather a loop of DNA with extra pieces of DNA in plasmids

eukaryotic cells do not have slime capsules but some prokaryotic cells do

eukaryotic cells do not have flagella but some prokaryotic cells do

eukaryotic cells contain mitochondria but prokaryotic cells do not

there are many more differences

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.

Prokaryotic cells lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells have a distinct nucleus and membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Prokaryotes are typically unicellular, simpler organisms, while eukaryotes can be unicellular or multicellular, forming more complex life forms, including plants, animals, and fungi.

Eukaryotic cells are cells like animal or plant cells.

prokaryotic cells are cells like bacteria.

The key difference between the two is that Eukaryotic cells contain membrane bound organelles whereas prokaryotic cells do not. They also have variable (different) organelles, for example eukaryotic cells have a nucleus whereas prokaryotic cells do not!

Prokaryotic cells are bascially bacteria. They are characterised by, among other things, the lack of a nucleus containing genetic material - instead the genetic material is distributed freely in the cell. Eukaryotic cells have the genetic material confined to a nucleus which is clearly visible under the microscope...

Prokaryotic cells are single celled organisms such as bacteria and viruses. They do not have a nucleus but they contain DNA. Eukaryotic cells are present in multi-cellular organisms such as plants and animals and do contain a nucleus.

Prokaryotic cells have no membrane-bound organelles including a nucleus. The DNA of many prokaryotes can be found in a chromosomal loop of DNA or in plasmids.

Eukraryotic cells have a membrane bound nucleus and organelles whilst prokaryotic cells have free floating DNA with no nucleus

Eukaryotic have nuclues and membrane bound organelles. While prokaryotic do not have any of these.

1. Nucleus:

• Prokaryotic Cells: Lack a true nucleus. Their genetic material is not enclosed in a membrane; instead, it is located in a region called the nucleoid.

• Eukaryotic Cells: Have a true nucleus, where the cell’s DNA is enclosed within a nuclear membrane.

2. Size:

• Prokaryotic Cells: Generally smaller (0.1 to 5.0 micrometers).

• Eukaryotic Cells: Larger (10 to 100 micrometers).

3. Organelles:

• Prokaryotic Cells: Lack membrane-bound organelles. Ribosomes are smaller (70S).

• Eukaryotic Cells: Contain membrane-bound organelles (e.g., mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus). Ribosomes are larger (80S).

4. Cell Structure:

• Prokaryotic Cells: Often have a rigid cell wall composed of peptidoglycan (in bacteria). They may also possess a capsule and flagella.

• Eukaryotic Cells: Cell walls (if present) are typically made of cellulose (in plants) or chitin (in fungi). Animal cells do not have cell walls.

5. Reproduction:

• Prokaryotic Cells: Reproduce asexually through binary fission.

• Eukaryotic Cells: Can reproduce asexually (mitosis) or sexually (meiosis).

6. Genetic Material:

• Prokaryotic Cells: Typically have a single, circular DNA molecule.

• Eukaryotic Cells: Have multiple linear chromosomes.

7. Examples:

• Prokaryotic Cells: Bacteria and archaea.

• Eukaryotic Cells: Animals, plants, fungi, and protists.

These differences highlight the fundamental distinctions between the two cell types, impacting their structure, function, and evolutionary history.

Eukaryotic - true nucleus (all cells with a nucleus such as plant and animal cells)

Prokaryotic - without a nucleus (all cells without a nucleus, e.g all bacterial cells)

Prokaryotic are always unicellular, while eukaryotic are usually multi-celled organisms.