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GCSE

Cells and Control

Question

differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

1 year ago

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235 Replies

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5149 views

E

Elizabeth Dempsey



235 Answers

A
Arezu

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

K
Kenisha Nagpal

prokaryotic cells lack membrane bound organelles and a well defined nucleus, reproduce mainly through binary fission while eukaryotic cells have a well defined nucleus and membrane bound organelles, reproduce through mitosis.

F
Faiza Said

Prokaryotic cells are Bacteria cells , like yeast. Their unicellular and their nucleus is not membrane bound


Eukaryotic cells include animal cells and plant cells. Their multicellular and membrane bound

M
MISS SORAYYA MORADI

Eukaryotic cells have membrane bound organelles such as mitochondria their DNA is within a nucleus, whereas prokaryotic cells do not have membrane bound organelles and their DNA is free floating within the cytoplasm.

N
Nosayba Al Haj Hamad

The main difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes is that the latter is a unicellular organism such as a bacterium. Eukaryotes however are the cells that form multicellular organisms such as humans. From that, we establish that prokaryotes are much smaller. another important difference is that DNA is stored in the nucleus in eukaryotic cells but floats in the cytoplasm in prokaryotic cells. Moreover, many structures (organelles) exist in eukaryotic cells but not in prokaryotic cells such as the mitochondria and ribosomes.

B
Berivan Ereser

Nucleus:

  • Prokaryotic cells: Lack a true nucleus. Instead, their genetic material is typically found in a region called the nucleoid, which is not enclosed by a membrane.
  • Eukaryotic cells: Have a well-defined nucleus enclosed within a double membrane, which contains the cell's genetic material in the form of chromosomes.

Membrane-bound Organelles:

  • Prokaryotic cells: Generally lack membrane-bound organelles. They may have some internal structures like ribosomes, but these are not enclosed by membranes.
  • Eukaryotic cells: Contain membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and chloroplasts (in plant cells). These organelles perform specialized functions within the cell.

Size:

  • Prokaryotic cells: Typically smaller and simpler in structure compared to eukaryotic cells.
  • Eukaryotic cells: Generally larger and more complex in structure due to the presence of membrane-bound organelles and a well-defined nucleus.

Cell Wall:

  • Prokaryotic cells: Most prokaryotic cells have a cell wall, which provides structural support and protection. The composition of the cell wall varies among different types of prokaryotes (e.g., bacteria have a peptidoglycan cell wall).
  • Eukaryotic cells: Some eukaryotic cells, such as plant cells and fungal cells, have a cell wall composed of materials like cellulose or chitin. Animal cells do not have a cell wall.

Reproduction:

  • Prokaryotic cells: Reproduce primarily through binary fission, a process in which the cell divides into two identical daughter cells.
  • Eukaryotic cells: Reproduce through mitosis (for somatic cells) or meiosis (for reproductive cells), processes that involve the division and distribution of chromosomes to daughter cells.

Genetic Material:

  • Prokaryotic cells: Typically have a single circular chromosome composed of DNA. They may also contain small, circular pieces of DNA called plasmids.
  • Eukaryotic cells: Have multiple linear chromosomes composed of DNA, which are located within the nucleus. Eukaryotic cells may also contain extranuclear DNA in organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts.


Maria H Profile Picture
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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

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Dr John Jackson Profile Picture
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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...

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Maia F Profile Picture
Maia F Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

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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.

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S
Shmial Sohail

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 :)

H
Hema Priya

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.


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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.

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S
Syeda Ayesha Asad

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.

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Eukaryotic cells tend to contain membrane bound organelles, such as mitochondria, whereas prokaryotes don't! For example, where (most) eukaryotic cells have a nucleus to store their DNA, prokaryotes DNA can just be found in the cytoplasm.

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K
Kinza Tahir

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.

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