differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

Prokaryotic cells do not posses a nucleus (only has circular DNA) or organelles (ie: endoplasmic reticulum). An example of a prokaryotic organism is bacteria (ie E.Coli). Eukaryotic cells possess a nucleus and respective organelles. Examples of Eukaryotic cells include animal (ie: human liver cell) and plant cells.

Hey Elizabeth, The prokaryotic cells are mainly bacterial cells and the eukaryotic cells are the human cells. Now the main difference between them can is that the prokaryotic cells have a cell wall whereas the eukaryotic cells do not. Another difference can be that the genetic material in the prokaryotic cells is not membrane-bound whereas in the eukaryotic cells they can be membrane-bound( nucleus). The eukaryotes have 80s ribosomes whereas the prokaryotes contain 70s ribosomes. The prokaryotes contain plasmids whereas the eukaryotes do not. There are also other differences but I hope this helps :)

Prokaryotic cells are always said to be unicellular, whereas a eukaryotic cell is said be multi-cellular.

Eukaryotic cells are said to be more complex and more than 100 to 10000 times larger than the prokaryotic cells.

Prokaryotic cells lack membrane bound organelles and are very small in comparison to eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic genetic material is also not inside a nucleus unlike eukaryotic cells and is usually circular.

Prokaryotic ribosomes are also smaller.

The major difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes is the nucleus. The prokaryotes do not have a true nucleus (pro means before); means that their nucleus is not enclosed in a nuclear membrane rather their genetic material is suspended in the cytoplasm. While the eukaryotic nucleus has a nuclear membrane within which lies their genetic material. Another difference is the presence of membrane bound organelles in eukaryotes while the prokaryotes do not have membrane bound organelles.

Eukaryotic cells tend to contain membrane bound organelles, such as mitochondria, whereas prokaryotes don't! For example, where (most) eukaryotic cells have a nucleus to store their DNA, prokaryotes DNA can just be found in the cytoplasm.

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

Eukaryotic cells - Have all of the above cell components

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

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 does not have a membrane bound nucleus. Genetic material if free in the cytoplasm while eukaryotic (plants and animal cell) have membrane bound organells

Eukaryotic Cells have the following (Prokaryotic cells do not)

• A nucleus (The brain of the cell)
• Mitochondria (The power house of the cell)
• Endoplasmic reticulum (A structure that provides protein synthesis and is a transport system)
• Lysosomes (Proteins that act as the digestive system of a cell)

The primary distinction between these two types of organisms is that eukaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus and prokaryotic cells do not. The nucleus is where eukaryotes store their genetic information. In prokaryotes, DNA is bundled together in the nucleoid region, but it is not stored within a membrane-bound nucleus

Prokaryotes are always unicellular, while eukaryotes are often multi-celled organisms. Additionally, eukaryotic cells are more than 100 to 10,000 times larger than prokaryotic cells and are much more complex.

The DNA in eukaryotes is stored within the nucleus, while DNA is stored in the cytoplasm of prokaryotes. Additionally, DNA in eukaryotic cells is stored in double-stranded chromosomes that are condensed by histones. In contrast, prokaryotic cells have one primary circular chromosome and various plasmids, which are small rings of DNA. The DNA of eukaryotic cells has proportionally less coding DNA and high amount of non-coding DNA compared to prokaryotic cells. The ribosomes in eukaryotic cells are 80S, with 40S and 60S subunits, and in prokaryotic cells: 70S with 30 and 50S subunits. 

Prokaryotes are strictly single-celled organisms. Eukaryotes include both single-celled and multicellular species. DNA is circular in prokaryotes. DNA is linear in eukaryotes. Prokaryotes lack a nucleus. The nucleus is present in eukaryotes. Membrane-bound organelles are absent. Membrane-bound organelles are present.

Prokaryotic cells are unicellular and do not have membrane-bound structures. They lack nucleus, instead they have nucleoid. Which is the DNA bundled in the center of cell. Example: Bacteria.

Cells are around 0.1 to 5 micrometer in diameter.

Eukaryotic cells have a membrane bounded nucleus and organelles. Cells are around 10-100 micrometers. Example: animal cell