differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

Prokaryotic cells have their genetic material (DNA) in a circular loop 'free-floating' within the cell, whereas eukaryotic cells have their DNA packaged into chromosomes in the nucleus (a membrane-bound organelle) in the cell. Prokaryotic cells do not contain membrane-bound organelles, whereas eukaryotic cells do, for example, mitochondria, or chloroplasts in photosynthetic organisms. Prokaryotic cells are unicellular organisms - they exist as only one cell, whereas eukaryotic cells can be unicellular organisms or form more complex multicellular organisms. Prokaryotic cells are also much smaller than eukaryotic cells by about a factor of 100 times.

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, prokaryotic cells do not.

Eukaryotic examples are animal and plant cells

Prokaryotic example would be bacterial cell

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 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.

Prokaryotic Cells - No nucleus, mitochondria, ER, lysosomes, Golgi apparatus and much smaller.

Eukaryotic cells - Have all of the above cell components

Prokaryotic Cells: Type of Cell Always unicellular

Cell size Ranges in size from 0.2 μm – 2.0 μm in diameter

Cell wall Usually present; chemically complex in nature

Nucleus Absent

DNA arrangement Circular

Mitochondria Absent

Cell division Through binary fission

Reproduction Asexual

Example Bacteria

Eukaryotic Cells: Type of Cell Unicellular and multi-cellular

Cell size Ranges from 10 μm – 100 μm in diameter

Cell wall When present, chemically simple in nature

Nucleus Present

DNA arrangement Linear

Mitochondria Present

Cell division Through mitosis

Reproduction Both asexual and sexual

Example Plant and animal cell

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.

The biggest difference is that a eukaryotic cell (plant/animal/fungus) cell has a nucleus, whereas a prokaryotic (bacterial) cell does not. Prokaryotic genetic material floats freely in the cell cytoplasm.

Aside from that, here are some other key differences:

• Edivide by mitosis (meiosis in gametes), prokaryotes divide by binary fission
• Eukaryotes are 5μm - 100μm, prokaryotes are much smaller (0.2-2μm)
• Prokaryotes don't contain mitochondria or chloroplasts
• 
  

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are the two primary types of cells, differing fundamentally in their structure and complexity. Here are the key differences between them:

1. Nucleus:

• Prokaryotic cells lack a true nucleus. Their genetic material is not enclosed within a nuclear membrane; instead, it is located in a region called the nucleoid.
• Eukaryotic cells have a well-defined nucleus, where the cell’s DNA is enclosed within a nuclear envelope.

1. Cell Size:

• Prokaryotic cells are generally smaller, typically between 0.1 to 5 micrometers in diameter.
• Eukaryotic cells are larger, usually between 10 to 100 micrometers in diameter.

1. Cell Complexity:

• Prokaryotic cells are simpler in structure, with fewer types of organelles.
• Eukaryotic cells are more complex, containing a variety of organelles such as mitochondria, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the Golgi apparatus.

1. Cell Wall:

• Many prokaryotes have a rigid cell wall composed of peptidoglycan (in bacteria) or other substances.
• Eukaryotic cells may or may not have a cell wall. If present, the cell wall is usually made of cellulose (in plants) or chitin (in fungi).

1. Ribosomes:

• Prokaryotic cells contain 70S ribosomes, which are smaller.
• Eukaryotic cells contain 80S ribosomes, which are larger.

1. DNA Structure:

• Prokaryotic DNA is typically circular and not associated with histone proteins.
• Eukaryotic DNA is linear and closely associated with histones to form chromatin and chromosomes.

1. Reproduction:

• Prokaryotes reproduce asexually through processes such as binary fission.
• Eukaryotes can reproduce both sexually and asexually, with mechanisms including mitosis and meiosis.

1. Organelles:

• Prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles.
• Eukaryotic cells have multiple membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria, chloroplasts (in plants), the endoplasmic reticulum, and the Golgi apparatus.

1. Cytoplasmic Division:

• Prokaryotic cells often divide by binary fission, where the cell simply splits into two.
• Eukaryotic cells divide by mitosis or meiosis, involving complex processes of chromosomal alignment and separation.

1. Genetic Recombination:

• Prokaryotic genetic recombination occurs through processes such as transformation, transduction, and conjugation.
• Eukaryotic genetic recombination primarily occurs during meiosis.

These differences reflect the evolutionary distance between prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, with eukaryotic cells representing a more complex and compartmentalized cellular organization.

Hi Elizabeth!

The main difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes is how they store their DNA. Whilst eukaryotes contain this within a nucleus, prokaryotes contain a free-floating loop of DNA with plasmids. Prokaryotes are also usually single-celled (bacteria etc.), whilst eukaryotes make up multicellular organisms.

Prokaryotic cell:

1. Cells that lack a well-defined nucleus are called prokaryotic cells.
2. Prokaryotic cells do not have membrane-bound nuclei or organelles.
3. They are unicellular organisms.

Eukaryotic cell:

1. Cells having a well-defined nucleus are called eukaryotic cells.
2. They contain a nucleus and organelles which are bound by plasma membranes.
3. They are usually multicellular organisms.

Eukaryotic - a nucleus

Prokaryotic - a free-floating strand of DNA

Eukaryotic - large ribosomes

Prokaryotic - smaller ribosomes

Prokaryotic - no mitochondria

Eukaryotic - mitochondria