Biology

>

GCSE

Cells and Control

Question

differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

2 years ago

·

364 Replies

·

9641 views

E

Elizabeth Dempsey



364 Answers

Rebecca Profile Picture
Rebecca Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

Experienced Science teacher, Examiner and Assistant Headteacher

2 reviews

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, prokaryotic cells do not.

Eukaryotic examples are animal and plant cells

Prokaryotic example would be bacterial cell

I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.
S
Shahed Alsharifi

A prokaryotic cell is a lot smaller, no nucleus, no membrane-bound organelles, example: bacteria and a eukaryotic cell is larger and has membrane bound organelles, example: plant and animal cells

Adam Profile Picture
Adam Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

When the student is ready, the teacher will appear!

3 reviews

Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus whilst eukaryotic cells do! An easy way to remember this is by telling yourself 'eu' is 'yes' due to the similarly in wording so in essence- eukaryotic yes nucleus!

I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.
Milad H Profile Picture
Milad H Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

2nd year Dentistry student 🦷! Better grades, more fun

Eukaryotic has nucleus but prokaryotic doesn’t,eukaryotic has membrane bound organelle,eukaryotic is larger ,eukaryotic is multicellular and prokaryotic is unicellular

I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.
P
Proma Hussain

Eukaryotic cells are complex cells that contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. They are found in multicellular organisms such as animals, plants, and fungi. Prokaryotic cells are simple cells that lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. They are found in single-celled organisms such as bacteria.

Gulaly A Profile Picture
Gulaly A Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

9 Years of Teaching experience in Maths, Chemistry, Biology

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.

I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.
Becca D Profile Picture
Becca D Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

Experienced Biology and English tutor with 4 years of experience

1 reviews

Prokaryotes are unicellular (single celled) organisms, such as bacteria. Prokaryotic cells lack complex features such as organelles and also lack nuclei, which are central features of eukaryotic cells; instead, their DNA is free in the cytoplasm. Additional plasmids (small loops of DNA) can also be found in prokaryotes. Prokaryotes typically have a cell wall in addition to a cell membrane.


Eukaryotic cells are found in multicellular organisms such as plants and animals. These may contain many organelles, such as chloroplasts and mitochondria. A key feature is the presence of a membrane-bound nucleus, in which their DNA can be found.


Prokaryotic cells are also much smaller than eukaryotic cells, ranging from 0.2 micrometers to 2.0 micrometers, in contrast to eukaryotic cells which can range from 5 micrometers to 100 micrometers.

I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.
L
Lauren Savidge

Prokaryotic cells have no true nucleus, they contain free genetic material and plasmids (rings of DNA). Eukaryotic cells do contain a whole true nucleus which contains all genetic material inside. Prokaryotic cells do not contain any mitochondria where as Eukaryotic cells do contain mitochondria. An example of a Prokaryote would be a bacteria cell, and an example of a Eukaryote would be a plant cell.

C
Chloe Wong

Prokaryotic cells, found in bacteria and archaea, are more simple. These cells lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, and their genetic material is in the form of circular DNA. However, in eukaryotic cells, prevalent in plants, animals, fungi, and protists, possess a distinct nucleus, surrounded by a membrane, and house various membrane-bound organelles that compartmentalize cellular functions.






M
Mathura Kuhendran

Prokaryotes are unicellular in comparison to eukaryotes that are most multicellular, though some are unicellular. In prokaryotes the nucleus and membrane-bound organelles are absent, but in eukaryotes they are present. The complexity of a prokaryotes is much simpler and they are much smaller (0.1-5 micrometres), but eukaryotes are more complex and large (10-100 micrometres). The DNA form of a prokaryote is circular, whilst for eukaryotes it’s linear.

Esham Profile Picture
Esham Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

Experienced Science and Maths tutor at your service!

2 reviews

Hi Elizabeth,


The main differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells are:

- eukaryotic cells are usually 10 time bigger.

- eukaryotic cells are more complex.

- eukaryotic cells have a nucleus whereas prokaryotic cells don't.

- prokaryotic cells have a single strand of DNA floating in the cytoplasm whereas eukaryotic cells have their DNA in their nucleus.

- prokaryotic cells have plasmids (small rings of extra DNA that float in the cytoplasm).


I hope this helps.

I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.
S
Sadaf

well there are many differences. let’s discuss with few of them.

prokaryotes are unicellular. while eukaryotes are often multi cellular organisms

eukaryotic cells are complex cells that contain a nucleus and other membrane bound organelles

Rahel J Profile Picture
Rahel J Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

Biology, Chemistry and Maths teacher since 2018

PROKARYOTES

DNA in a ring w/o protein

DNA free in cytoplasm

Mitochondria absent

70s ribosomes

Internal compartmentalization absent to form organelles

Less than 10 um


EUKARYOTES

DNA with proteins as chromatin

DNA enclosed in nuclear envelope

Mitochondria present

80s ribosomes

Internal compartmentalization present to form organelles

More than 10 um


Both

DNA present

Plasma membrane

Carry out all functions of life


I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.
R
Rayhanna H

Eukaryotic cells are multicellular organism. Their DNA is stored in a nucleus. Whereas prokaryotic DNA consist of a single loop of DNA not stored in a nucleus.

Megan L Profile Picture
Megan L Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

Qualified Science teacher, Physics & Biology specialist, AQA Examiner

2 reviews

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.

I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.

Think you can help?

More Biology GCSE Questions
Sherpa Badge

Need a GCSE Biology tutor?

Get started with a free online introductions with an experienced and qualified online tutor on Sherpa.

Find a GCSE Biology Tutor