differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

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.

Prokaryotic cells are simpler cells found in organisms like bacteria. They don't have a nucleus or any membrane-bound structures inside. Instead, their genetic material floats freely in the cytoplasm. Eukaryotic cells, found in plants, animals, and other organisms, are more complex. They have a nucleus surrounded by a membrane and various membrane-bound structures called organelles, like mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum. Eukaryotic cells are usually larger and more specialised than prokaryotic cells.

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).

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

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 and eukaryotic cells differ in several key ways:

1. Nucleus: Prokaryotic cells lack a true nucleus; their genetic material is located in a region called the nucleoid. In contrast, eukaryotic cells have a well-defined nucleus enclosed by a nuclear membrane.
2. Size: Prokaryotic cells are generally smaller, typically ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 micrometers, while eukaryotic cells are larger, usually between 10 to 100 micrometers.
3. Organelles: Prokaryotic cells do not have membrane-bound organelles, whereas eukaryotic cells contain various organelles, such as mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum, which are enclosed by membranes.
4. DNA Structure: The DNA in prokaryotic cells is circular and typically exists as a single chromosome. In eukaryotic cells, DNA is linear and organized into multiple chromosomes.
5. Cell Division: Prokaryotic cells reproduce primarily through binary fission, a simple process of cell division. Eukaryotic cells divide through more complex processes, including mitosis and meiosis.
6. Cell Wall: Most prokaryotic cells have a rigid cell wall made of peptidoglycan, especially in bacteria. Eukaryotic cells may or may not have a cell wall; plant cell walls are made of cellulose, while fungi have walls made of chitin.
7. Reproduction: Prokaryotes primarily reproduce asexually, while eukaryotes can reproduce both asexually and sexually.

Prokaryotes:

• unicellular
• cell wall
• no membrane bound organelles
• DNA is short, circular and not associated with histones
• no introns
• 70s ribosomes
• no nucleus

Eukaryotes:

• multicellular
• plant cells contain cell wall
• membrane bound organelles
• DNA is long, linear and associated with histones
• contains introns
• 80s ribosomes
• nucleus

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 do not posses a nucleus (only has circular DNA) or organelles (ie: endoplasmic reticulum). An example of a prokaryotic organism is bacteria (ie E.Coli). Eukaryotic cells possess a nucleus and respective organelles. Examples of Eukaryotic cells include animal (ie: human liver cell) and plant 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 :)

Prokaryotic cells are always said to be unicellular, whereas a eukaryotic cell is said be multi-cellular.

Eukaryotic cells are said to be more complex and more than 100 to 10000 times larger than the prokaryotic cells.

Prokaryotic cells lack membrane bound organelles and are very small in comparison to eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic genetic material is also not inside a nucleus unlike eukaryotic cells and is usually circular.

Prokaryotic ribosomes are also smaller.

The major difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes is the nucleus. The prokaryotes do not have a true nucleus (pro means before); means that their nucleus is not enclosed in a nuclear membrane rather their genetic material is suspended in the cytoplasm. While the eukaryotic nucleus has a nuclear membrane within which lies their genetic material. Another difference is the presence of membrane bound organelles in eukaryotes while the prokaryotes do not have membrane bound organelles.

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)

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, prokaryotic cells do not.

Eukaryotic examples are animal and plant cells

Prokaryotic example would be bacterial cell