differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

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

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.

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

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 (plants & animals)

• These contain a nucleus
• They have membrane bound organelles (e.g. mitochondria, chloroplasts)

Prokaryotic cells (bacteria)

• Smaller
• No nucleus
• Contain plasmids
• Contains flagellum
• DNA is circular & smaller
• No membrane bound organelles

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.

There are many differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells! For example, prokaryotic cells have no membrane bound organelles, whereas eukaryotic cells do. Hope this helps.

The main difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells lies in their structure and complexity.

Prokaryotic cells are simpler and smaller than eukaryotic cells (usually 0.1–5 µm in size). They have no nucleus and so their DNA is found in a single circular strand within the cytoplasm. They also have no membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, or Golgi apparatus. They are unicellular organisms, such as bacteria and archaea, which means that each cell is it's own organism, and they reproduce through binary fission, which is a simple form of cell division.

Eukaryotic cells, on the other hand, are larger and more complex (around 10–100 µm in size). They have a nucleus that contains DNA enclosed in a nuclear membrane. They also contain membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus. They can be unicellular or make up a multicellular organism, such as in plants, animals, or fungi, and they reproduce through mitosis or meiosis, which are more complex processes of cell division.

Both eukaryotes and prokaryotes are very small as they are cells! Both are single celled too. The main difference is that eukaryotes have a nucleus which contains all their genetic information but prokaryotes have a loop of circular DNA free-floating instead.

At GCSE level, the main differences that you need to be aware of are the following:

1. The genetic material in eukaryotes is found in the nucleus, whereas in prokaryotes this is found in the cytoplasm
2. Prokaryotes have a cell wall made from peptidoglycan. There are some eukaryotic cells that do have a cell wall but are NOT made up of peptidoglycan, e.g. plant cell walls are made from cellulose.

Prokaryotic cells are smaller and simpler, lacking a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, with their DNA floating freely in a loop. Eukaryotic cells are larger and more complex, containing a nucleus that holds their organized DNA and various organelles like mitochondria. Prokaryotes reproduce by binary fission, while eukaryotes use mitosis or meiosis. Prokaryotes are found in bacteria and archaea, while eukaryotes make up plants, animals, fungi, and protists.

There are many differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells:

eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles whereas prokaryotic cells do not. Prokaryotic cells have plasmids and eukaryotic cells do not.

The fail-safe way to hit the mark scheme is to state that eukaryotic cells have a nucleus whereas prokaryotic cells don’t.

The most common mistakes on this question are saying eukaryotic cells are more complex (they are, but the examiner wants to know HOW they are more complex), mentioning prokaryotes having cell walls ( plants have cell walls too) or thinking that prokaryotes don’t have ribosomes.

Eukaryotic cells are Animal, Plant and Fungal cells. They usually make up multicellular organisms . Prokaryotic cells is the name given to single called bacterial cells.

Eukaryotic Cells:

-Have DNA contained inside of a nucleus

-May have a Cellulose cell wall (Plant Cells)

-Contain organelles such as Mitochondria/Ribosomes/Chloroplasts

Prokaryotic Cells:

-DNA is not stored in a nucleus, often found as plasmid rings

-May have a flagella for movement

-Cell wall usually present as a Capsule.

Eukaryotic cells have a membrane around the nucleus whereas prokaryotic cells dont