differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

The trick lies in the words themselves. Karyon in Greek means kernel, and in this case it is the nucleus. Prokaryotic organisms do not have a nucleus and tend to be simpler, more primitive (e.g., bacteria are prokaryotes. Eukaryotic organisms have a nucleus and tend to be more complex (e.g., animals and plants). Prokaryotic cells also do not have membrane-bound organelles (e.g., mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, etc) while eukaryotic cells do. Prokaryotic organisms have a cell wall and go through binary fission when replicating, while eukaryotic organisms typically have cell membranes (plant cells have cell walls but animal cells don't) and replicate by mitosis.

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

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

Prokaryotic cell have no nucleus but Eukaryotic cells have nucleus.

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are the two fundamental types of cells that make up all living organisms on Earth. Here are some key differences between them:

• Cell Size: Prokaryotic cells are generally smaller, ranging from 0.1 to 5 μm, while eukaryotic cells are larger, typically between 10 to 100 μm1.
• Nucleus: Eukaryotic cells have a well-defined nucleus containing the cell’s genetic material, whereas prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus, and their DNA is free-floating in the cytoplasm1.
• Membrane-bound Organelles: Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts, while prokaryotic cells do not have these structures1.
• Cell Structure: Most eukaryotic cells are part of multicellular organisms, although some eukaryotic organisms are unicellular. Prokaryotic cells are typically unicellular1.
• Cell Division: Eukaryotic cells divide by mitosis, whereas prokaryotic cells divide by binary fission1.
• Genetic Material: In eukaryotic cells, DNA is organized into chromosomes within the nucleus. In contrast, prokaryotic cells have a single circular DNA molecule and may also contain plasmids—small rings of DNA1.

These differences reflect the complexity and diversity of cell types that have evolved to fulfill various roles in the living world. Eukaryotic cells’ complexity allows for the development of more specialized functions and multicellular organisms, while prokaryotic cells’ simplicity is well-suited to their roles as single-celled organisms.

Prokaryotic cells:

• don't have a nucleus.
• contain circular DNA.
• contain Plasmids.
• the DNA is associated with no proteins called Histones.
• they lack membrane-bound organelles (like mitochondria, nucleus, golgi bodies, etc)
• very small (0.5-5um in diameter)
• contain 70s ribosomes.

Eukaryotic cells:

• have a nucleus.
• contain linear DNA.
• the DNA is wrapped around proteins called Histones, to form chromosomes.
• contain membrane-bound organelles.
• small, but bigger than prokaryotes (up to 100um in diameter)
• contain 80s ribosomes.

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

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.

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

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 simple single celled organisms that DONT have a nucleus or any other membrane bound organelle inside (e.g. mitochondria, chloroplast, vacuole)

Eukaryotic are complex cells such as plant or animal cells.

Prokaryotic: unicellular, contain a cell wall, have no mitochondria or chloroplasts, no nucleus so DNA is free in the cytoplasm (plasmids in bacteria) cell division is binary fission

examples : fungi and bacteria

eukaryotic: multicellular, no cell wall only cell membrane, contain mitochondria and chloroplasts in plant cells, DNA enclosed in a nucleus, cell division is mitosis

examples: plant cells, animal cells

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!

Eukaryotic Cells have their DNA contained in a nucleus, Prokaryotic Cells do not have an organised nucleus.

A Prokaryotic cell does not have a true, membrane-bound nucleus, unlike a Eukaryotic cell.