differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

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.

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

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).

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.

Prokaryotes are single celled. I’m which DNA is not stored in a nucleus. They consist of a single loop of DNA. For example bacterial cells. Whereas eukaryotic cells store their DNA in a nucleus. An example is animal cells

Prokaryotic cells lack a 'true' nucleus and membrane bound organelles

Hi there, a prokaryotic cell is smaller and simpler and has no membrane bound organelles. It lacks a nucleus and so carries DNA in circular rings, they also reproduce via binary fission.

Eukaryotic cells are larger and more complicated with membrane bound organelles and the DNA is stored within the nucleus stored as chromosomes and reproduces sexually or asexually.

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are the two primary types of cells that make up living organisms. Here are the key differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells:

1. **Cellular Organization:**

  - **Prokaryotic Cells:** Lack a true nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. The genetic material is present in a region called the nucleoid, which is not enclosed by a membrane.

  - **Eukaryotic Cells:** Have a true nucleus, which contains the cell's genetic material (DNA) enclosed within a nuclear membrane. Eukaryotic cells also contain various membrane-bound organelles.

2. **Nucleus:**

  - **Prokaryotic Cells:** Lack a membrane-bound nucleus. The genetic material is a single, circular DNA molecule located in the nucleoid region.

  - **Eukaryotic Cells:** Have a distinct membrane-bound nucleus that houses the cell's genetic material. The DNA is organized into linear chromosomes.

3. **Membrane-Bound Organelles:**

  - **Prokaryotic Cells:** Lack membrane-bound organelles (except for some structures like ribosomes). Cellular functions occur in the cytoplasm.

  - **Eukaryotic Cells:** Contain membrane-bound organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, chloroplasts (in plant cells), and more. These organelles compartmentalize cellular processes.

4. **Size:**

  - **Prokaryotic Cells:** Generally smaller and simpler in structure.

  - **Eukaryotic Cells:** Larger and more structurally complex.

5. **Ribosomes:**

  - **Prokaryotic Cells:** Have smaller ribosomes (70S).

  - **Eukaryotic Cells:** Have larger ribosomes (80S).

6. **Cell Division:**

  - **Prokaryotic Cells:** Divide by binary fission, a simpler form of cell division.

  - **Eukaryotic Cells:** Divide by mitosis (in somatic cells) or meiosis (in reproductive cells).

7. **Cytoskeleton:**

  - **Prokaryotic Cells:** Lack a cytoskeleton or have a less developed cytoskeleton.

  - **Eukaryotic Cells:** Contain a well-developed cytoskeleton, providing structural support and facilitating cell movement.

8. **Examples:**

  - **Prokaryotic Cells:** Bacteria and archaea.

  - **Eukaryotic Cells:** Animals, plants, fungi, and protists.

These differences highlight the fundamental distinctions in cellular organization and structure between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

prokaryotes are the organisms , they does not have a well defined nucleus for example Bacteria.

eukaryotes are the organism have well developed Nucleus, this organelle control and co Ordinate whole activity of a cell. example Humans , plants

One of the biggest differences between these two cell types is how the DNA is stored. In a prokaryotic cell, the DNA is not bound (contained). In a eukaryotic cell, the DNA is stored in a nucleus.

Prokaryotic cells are single-celled organisms, with only ribosomes, cell walls and membranes and the nucleoid.

Eukaryotic cells contain ribosomes, cell walls and membranes, nucleus, nucleolus, nuclear membrane, mitochondria, golgi, cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, and peroxisomes.

Generally, eukaryotic cells are larger than prokaryotic cells and more complex . The main difference is that prokaryotic cells lack a defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. This means that their genetic material (DNA) just floats in the cytoplasm, whereas in eukaryotes, the DNA is in a membrane-bound nucleus. They also have organelles, like mitochondria, which are surrounded by a membrane.

Hey Elizabeth,

First we want to understand what the question is asking us and if there any key words in the question that can help us out For Example: Differences . This helps us understand we need to contrast between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Using our knowledge of cells we can gain that in animal cells there is always a nucleus hence a eukaryotic cell which is a cell with a nucleus/nuclear envelope. However in plant cells we know that they lack a nucleus/nuclear envelope hence being a prokaryotic cell. There are more differences between the two structurally as Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles whereas prokaryotic cells don't contain membrane-bound organelles and are always part of unicellular organisms. I hope this helps you understand more clearly.

Hi Elizabeth,

Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, are generally smaller and simpler, and have smaller ribosomes.

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, are generally larger and more complex, divide by mitosis, and have larger ribosomes.

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

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.