differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

Eukaryotic cells have nucleus and have a complex structures with lots of organelles. While prokaryotic cells is simple with no nucleus and no organelles.

Prokaryotic cells can be distinguished from eukaryotic cells as they lack a nucleus (and also lack any other membrane-bound organelles). Therefore prokaryotic DNA is free in the cytoplasm, whereas the DNA of eukaryotic cells is enclosed in a nucleus.

Prokaryotic cells also have different types of DNA to eukaryotic cells: while both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells contain DNA arranged in chromosomes, prokaryotic cells may additionally contain plasmid DNA (a circular loop of DNA which is separate from chromosomal DNA).

It is important to note that forming single-celled organisms is NOT specific to prokaryotic cells - eukaryotic cells can also form single celled organisms (e.g. amoeba). This is something I didn't initially realise at GCSE!

Differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells:

DNA

Prokaryotic cells:

• shorter
• found in cytoplasm
• found in a single loop and plasmids

Eukaryotic cells:

• Longer DNA
• found in the nucleus
• Found in an alpha helix shape

Structural differences

• Eukaryotes have organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts whereas Prokaryotes do not
• Some Prokaryotes contain flagellum and a slime capsule whereas Eukaryotes do not.
• Prokaryotes undergo binary fission in order to divide whereas Eukaryotes undergo mitosis or meiosis

Prokaryotic cells lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Their DNA is circular. Eukaryotic cells, found in plants and animals, have a true nucleus enclosed in a nuclear membrane, with linear DNA forming chromosomes. They also contain membrane-bound organelles like the endoplasmic reticulum. Prokaryotic cells are smaller, around 0.5 to 5 micrometres, and divide by binary fission. Eukaryotic cells are larger, with a diameter of 10 to 100 micrometres, and divide by mitosis or meiosis.

Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles (such as the nucleus and mitochondria), while prokaryotic cells do not. DNA in eukaryotic cells is found inside the nucleus, while DNA in prokaryotic cells is located in the cytoplasm. Eukaryotic cells are generally larger (Most are 5 μm – 100 μm)

and more complex than prokaryotic cells (Most are 0.2 μm – 2.0 μm). Most prokaryotic cells divide by the process of binary fission, whereas in eukaryotes, cell division occurs by mitosis.

Prokaryotic cells are simpler and smaller compared to eukaryotic cells. They lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. On the other hand, eukaryotic cells are more complex and larger. They have a true nucleus that houses the genetic material and various membrane-bound organelles that perform specific functions. Another difference is that prokaryotic cells have circular DNA, while eukaryotic cells have linear DNA. Prokaryotes are typically single-celled organisms, like bacteria, while eukaryotes can be single-celled or multicellular, like plants, animals, and fungi.

Prokaryotic cell is a single -celled organism which lacks a nucleus and other cell organelles

while Eukaryotic cells are which are bounded with cell membrane and contains a nucleus

the prokaryotic cells do not contain any nucleus yet the eukaryotic cells contain nucleus.

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!

The main difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is that eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles, meaning that their sub cellular components such as the mitochondria, and most importantly the nucleus (where the DNA is kept) are surrounded by an extra layer of protection known as a membrane.

In prokaryotic cells, all sub cellular structures are floating around in the cytoplasm, even the DNA; though the DNA is coiled up and mostly floats in an area of the cell known as the nucleoid.

There are some other major differences, such as prokaryotic are really small in comparison to eukaryotes, their chromosomes are circular and short, where as eukaryotes have linear and longer chromosomes and the type of ribosomes that they have are also different.

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

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.

So a prokaryotic cell is a cell that does not have membrane-bound organelles. You can also identify them as cells without a nucleus, as the nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle (it has the nuclear membrane around it that monitors what enters and leaves the nucleus). Eukaryotic cells are the opposite of prokaryotic cells and have membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria, chloroplasts etc.

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

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

Eukaryotic cells - Have all of the above cell components