differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

Prokaryotes are always unicellular, whereas eukaryotes are often multicelled organisms.

Prokaryotes are small in size (1-10) μm while Eukaryotes are large in size (5-100) μm.

In Prokaryotes Nucleus is Absent. Instead, they have a nucleoid region in the cell and In Eukaryotes Nucleus is Present.

Prokaryotic cells are those without a nucleus such as bacteria, where’s eukaryotic cells have a nucleus. Examples of eukaryotic cells are animals and plants.

The main difference between a prokaryotic and a eukaryotic cell is how they store their genetic material. Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus; their genetic material is not contained within a membrane - it is free floating/ in the form of plasmids. In eukaryotic cells, (eu-karyote meaning "well" "nut" in greek referring to the shape of the nucleus) the DNA is stored within a membrane.

Prokaryotes don’t have membrane-bond organelles, DNA is circular, lack nucleus and are always unicellular, Eukaryotes have membrane - bound organelles, the nucleus is present and are often multicellular organisms.

Prokaryotic cells

Prokaryotic cells lacks a membrane-bound nucleus. They also do not have any mitochondria or any other membrane-bound organelles. The word prokaryote comes from Greek words meaning "before nucleus". Prokaryotes make up 2 or the 3 domains of life; Archaea and Bacteria.

​ Eukaryotic cells

Eukaryotic cells have their DNA enclosed in a membrane-bound nucleus. They also contain mitochondria and many other membrane-bound organelles. The word eukaryote comes from Greek words meaning "after nucleus". Eukaryotes up 1 or the 3 domains of life; Eukarya.

A cell which doesn’t have a distinct nucleus I’d know as prokaryotic cell. A cell with a well organized and functional nucleus is known as eukaryotic cell

Prokaryotes are unicellular while eukaryotes are often multi-cellular organisms.

Additionally, eukaryotes are exponentially larger in size and are much more complex.

Prokaryotes are unicellular while eukaryotes are multicellular organisms.

Additionally, eukaryotes are exponentially larger in size and are much more complex.

Hi Elizabeth!

Prokaryotic

• Have no membrane-bound nucleus. The nucleus exists within its cytoplasm.
• Have no mitochondria or chloroplast.
• The cell membrane is surrounded by a cell wall.
• Divides by binary fission.
• Size 0.2-0.5 Micrometers.

Eukaryotic

• DNA is bound within the nucleus. Single-cell plasmids are found in a few simple eukaryotic organisms.
• Mitochondria chloroplasts (plant cells) and ribosomes are present.
• Division by mitosis.
• The outer layer consists of cell membrane. Has cell wall surrounding cell membrane in plant and fungi cells.
• Most are 5-100 micrometers.

single cell,No nucleus, -prokaryotes

Multi cell,well defined nucleus- eukaryotes

Prokaryotic cells do NOT have a nucleus and have few organelles. They are SINGLE celled organisms. Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus that controls cell functions and have more organelles than prokaryotic cells. Eukaryotic cells combine to form multi-cellular organisms.

Prokaryotic cells are smaller and simpler than eukaryotic cells.

Prokaryotic cells have no nucleus and their DNA floats in their cytoplasm (e.g. plasmids in bacterial cells)

Eukaryotic cells are more complex and these can include examples such as humans- animals etc

Prokaryotic cells are unicellular and very simple for example bacteria.

Hi Elizabeth,

The main difference between a prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell is quite simple.

Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus, where eukaryotic cells do (e.g. plant and animal cells).

Additionally, prokaryotic cells are a lot smaller than your traditional eukaryotic cells. Eukaryotic cells have membrane bound organelles, these are not found in prokaryotes.

Genetic material is typically found in the nucleus (which eukaryotes have). In prokaryotes however, genetic material such as DNA can be found in nucleoids and plasmids.

Hope this has helped!

The simplest answer is that eukaryotes have membrane bound organelles and prokaryotes dont. Eukaryotes have a nucleus containing genetic information, prokaryotes don't have a nucleus.