differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

1) The word "Pro" means "not true"

And the word "Karyotes" means "no nucleus" therefore a prokaryotic cell has no true nucleus.

While on the other hand.

"Eu" means True

Therefore Eukaryotic cells are cells with well defined Nucleus.

2) prokaryotic cells do no have membrane bound organelles like mitochondria, chromosome etc

While Eukaryotic cells have membrane bound organelles

Think of eukarytic cells (pronounced you-caryotic) as you cells, they belong to all animals and plants. Procaryotic cells belong to bacteria.

Your cells contain a cell surface membrane, a nucleus, mitochondria, golgi apparatus/body, lysosomes, ribosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) as well as the cytoplasm.

Plants also have a cell wall, chloroplasts and a cell vacuole.

However Prokaryotic cells contain a cell plasma membrane, cytoplasm, they often have a cell wall, a capsule (the slime layer), circular DNA and plasmids as well as flagellum.

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have several key differences. Prokaryotic cells, like bacteria, are simpler and smaller. They do not have a nucleus; instead, their DNA floats freely in the cell. They also lack membrane-bound organelles, meaning structures like mitochondria or a nucleus are not present. Eukaryotic cells, found in animals, plants, fungi, and protists, are more complex and larger. They have a nucleus that stores their DNA and contain other organelles to carry out specific functions. Prokaryotic cells usually have circular DNA and divide by binary fission, while eukaryotic cells have linear DNA and divide by mitosis or meiosis. Most prokaryotes have a cell wall, while in eukaryotes, only plant and fungal cells have one—made of cellulose or chitin. In short, prokaryotic cells are simpler and found in single-celled organisms, while eukaryotic cells are more advanced and found in most living things.

Prokaryotic cells Eukaryotic cells

No nucleus. Nucleus.

Genetic information Genetic information contained in nucleus.

contained in plasmids

or free in cell.

Usually unicellular. Multicellular.

Bacteria. Plants and animals.

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

Prokaryotic cells lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells have a distinct nucleus and membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Prokaryotes are typically unicellular, simpler organisms, while eukaryotes can be unicellular or multicellular, forming more complex life forms, including plants, animals, and fungi.

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, prokaryotic cells do not.

Eukaryotic examples are animal and plant cells

Prokaryotic example would be bacterial cell

A prokaryotic cell is a lot smaller, no nucleus, no membrane-bound organelles, example: bacteria and a eukaryotic cell is larger and has membrane bound organelles, example: plant and animal cells

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!

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

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.

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.

Prokaryotes are unicellular (single celled) organisms, such as bacteria. Prokaryotic cells lack complex features such as organelles and also lack nuclei, which are central features of eukaryotic cells; instead, their DNA is free in the cytoplasm. Additional plasmids (small loops of DNA) can also be found in prokaryotes. Prokaryotes typically have a cell wall in addition to a cell membrane.

Eukaryotic cells are found in multicellular organisms such as plants and animals. These may contain many organelles, such as chloroplasts and mitochondria. A key feature is the presence of a membrane-bound nucleus, in which their DNA can be found.

Prokaryotic cells are also much smaller than eukaryotic cells, ranging from 0.2 micrometers to 2.0 micrometers, in contrast to eukaryotic cells which can range from 5 micrometers to 100 micrometers.

Prokaryotic cells have no true nucleus, they contain free genetic material and plasmids (rings of DNA). Eukaryotic cells do contain a whole true nucleus which contains all genetic material inside. Prokaryotic cells do not contain any mitochondria where as Eukaryotic cells do contain mitochondria. An example of a Prokaryote would be a bacteria cell, and an example of a Eukaryote would be a plant cell.

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.