differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

Cell Structure:

• Prokaryotic cells: They are typically smaller and simpler in structure. They lack a distinct nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Instead, their genetic material, DNA, is found in a single circular molecule called the nucleoid, floating freely in the cytoplasm.
• Eukaryotic cells: These cells are larger and more complex. They have a well-defined nucleus, enclosed by a nuclear membrane, where the DNA is housed. In addition to the nucleus, eukaryotic cells contain various membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes.

Nucleus:

• Prokaryotic cells: Lack a true nucleus. The genetic material is not enclosed within a membrane-bound nucleus.
• Eukaryotic cells: Have a true nucleus, which means the DNA is enclosed within a double-membrane structure, providing greater control over genetic material and cellular processes.

Organelles:

• Prokaryotic cells: Have very few organelles. They contain ribosomes for protein synthesis and may have some specialized structures like the cell wall, plasma membrane, and flagella.
• Eukaryotic cells: Contain a variety of membrane-bound organelles, each with specific functions. For example, mitochondria are involved in energy production, the endoplasmic reticulum is important for protein synthesis and transport, and the Golgi apparatus is involved in modifying and packaging molecules.

Cell Division:

• Prokaryotic cells: Reproduce through binary fission, a simple and rapid process where the cell divides into two identical daughter cells.
• Eukaryotic cells: Undergo mitosis for growth, development, and tissue repair, as well as meiosis for the production of gametes (sex cells) for sexual reproduction.

Examples of Organisms:

• Prokaryotic cells: Found in unicellular organisms like bacteria and archaea.
• Eukaryotic cells: Found in both unicellular organisms like protists and multicellular organisms, including plants, animals, fungi, and some protists.

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

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

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

Prokaryotic cells lack a defined nucleus whereas eukaryotic cells have one. The genetic material in prokaryotic cells is circular, whereas in eukaryotes it is linear. Prokaryotes also do not have membrane bound organelles and they are almost always unicellular. In contrast, eukaryotic cells can be either multicellular or unicellular; eukaryotic cells are much more complex. Prokaryotes divide by binary fission whereas eukaryotes divide through mitosis.

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!

The main one is that a eukaryotic cell has a nucleus, double membranes around organelles and more complex organelles whereas prokaryotic cells do not have these things and are a lot simpler, often single celled organisms.

Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells are two fundamental categories of cellular life with distinct structural and organizational differences. Prokaryotic cells are characterized by their simplicity, lacking a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Their genetic material resides in a nucleoid region, without the protection of a nuclear membrane. In contrast, eukaryotic cells exhibit a higher degree of complexity, featuring a well-defined nucleus that houses the genetic material within a protective nuclear membrane. Additionally, eukaryotes possess various membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus, which enable specialized functions within the cell. This contrast in cellular structure highlights the evolutionary divergence between prokaryotic and eukaryotic life forms, each adapted to specific ecological niches and biological processes.

One of the key differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is that prokaryotic cells do not contain a nucleus or any membrane bound organelles whereas eukaryotic cells both contain a nucleus and membrane bound organelles.

prokaryotic cells are always unicellular whereas eukaryotic cells are either unicellular or multicellular

another difference is that in prokaryotic cells DNA is arranged in a circular shape whereas in eukaryotic cells it is linear.

Prokaryotic cells are found in prokaryotes that are always unicellular, eukaryotic cells are usually in multi-celled organisms. Eukaryotic cells are larger than prokaryotic cells. The DNA in eukaryotes is stored within the nucleus, while DNA of prokariotic cells is stored in the cytoplasm.

At its simplest prokaryotic cells are always unicellular, with no nucleus and therefore contain their DNA in the cytoplasm. Eukaryotic cells are part of a multicellular organism and contain DNA in the nucleus

Hi there Elizabeth, good question!

Cells can be categorised into two main groups: prokaryotic or eukaryotic.

Prokaryotes

Examples: Bacteria, archea,

Structure: Only single-cellular

Membrane-bound organelles?: NO

Unique features: slime capsule, flagellum, pili

Eukaryotic

Examples: Animal cells, fungi, protisia, plant cells

Structure: Mostly multi-cellular except fungal yeast cells!

Membrane-bound organelles?: YES

Unique features: nucleus, mitochondria, SER, RER

They can also be similar. Both groups have DNA, ribosomes, a cell membrane, and are alive.

Eukaryotic

• DNA is enclosed in a nucleus
• DNA is linear and larger
• DNA has both introns (non-coding) and exons (coding)
• Bigger
• Have membrane- bound organelles such as mitochondria
• Have 80S ribosomes
• Do not have plasmids
• Do not have a flagellum

Prokaryotic

• DNA is not enclosed in a nucleus but is free in the cytoplasm
• DNA is circular and smaller
• DNA has only exons (coding)
• Smaller
• Don't have any membrane-bound organelles
• Has 70S ribosomes
• Has plasmids
• Can have a flagellum

Eukaryotic cells are complex cells that contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. They are found in multicellular organisms such as animals, plants, and fungi. Prokaryotic cells are simple cells that lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. They are found in single-celled organisms such as bacteria.

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, prokaryotic cells do not.

Eukaryotic examples are animal and plant cells

Prokaryotic example would be bacterial cell