differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

Eukaryotes are larger and more complex than prokaryotes. They contain a nucleus surrounded by a membrane that holds the cell’s chromosomes. Eukaryotes also have other organelles such as mitochondria, chloroplasts, and the endoplasmic reticulum. Prokaryotic cells, on the other hand, do not have a nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles. Instead, their genetic material is located in a single circular chromosome that is not surrounded by a membrane.

Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus or ribosomes, whereas Eukaryotic cells do. Instead Prokaryotic cells have a circular strand of DNA known as a plasmid.

There are a number of differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Prokaryotes are single celled organisms whereas eukaryotes make up multicellular organisms. Prokaryotes have no membrane bound nucleus or organelles and are smaller than eukaryotes (from 0.5um to 100um). On the other hand, eukaryotes have a membrane bound nucleus and organelles and tend to be larger (10-150um).

Prokaryotic cells have no membrane bound genetic material while eukaryotic cells have a nuclear membrane surrounding their genetic material.

The primary difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is that a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles are only present in eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells make up prokaryotes and eukaryotes, respectively. 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. 

The makeup of the locomotive structures (i.e., flagellum) also varies between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In eukaryotic cells, flagella are microtubule bundles composed of dynein and a plasma membrane that is powered by ATP to make a blending motion. Prokaryotic locomotive structures are instead composed of repeated flagellin, a hook, and a motor complex attached to the cellular membrane that is powered by protons to make a rotator motion.

The cell types also vary in their mechanisms of cell division. Prokaryotes can undergo binary fission where one cell multiplies its contents, the cytoplasmic membrane elongates in cytokinesis separating the DNA molecules, and two identical cells emerge. All eukaryotes undergo a similar but more complicated process called mitosis. In both binary fission and mitosis, the parent cells have the exact same number of chromosomes as their daughter cells. However, in sexually reproducing eukaryotic organisms, they can also undergo meiosis during which re-assortment creates genetically unique reproductive cells called gametes or sex cells, which have half the number of chromosomes as the parent cells, so they are known as haploids.

Just like a eukaryotic cell, individual prokaryotic cells have their own cytoplasm, cell membrane and ribosomes, but the prokaryotic cell always misses a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. A eukaryotic cell is also typically much bigger than the whole prokaryotic cell.

However, the most important difference is that the eukaryotic cell has a TRUE nucleus, meaning that this nucleus that contains the DNA in the form of chromosomes is surrounded by a double-layered membrane. We should recognize that the DNA in prokaryotic cells is not really in the form of chromosomes.

eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus and are the basis for unicellular and multicellular organisms (e.g. animals, fungi). however, prokaryotic cells don’t have membrane bound nucleus or membranes (e.g. bacteria cells)

Prokaryotes and eukaryotes are two types of cells that differ in many ways. Here are some of the main differences between them:

1. Size: Prokaryotes are typically smaller than eukaryotes.
2. Nucleus: Prokaryotes do not have a nucleus, while eukaryotes have a nucleus that contains the cell's DNA.
3. Membrane-bound organelles: Prokaryotes do not have membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotes have a variety of membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus.
4. Chromosomes: Prokaryotes usually have a single, circular chromosome, while eukaryotes have multiple linear chromosomes.
5. Cell wall: Many prokaryotes have a cell wall made of peptidoglycan, while eukaryotes may have a cell wall made of cellulose or chitin.
6. Reproduction: Prokaryotes reproduce asexually through binary fission, while eukaryotes reproduce sexually or asexually.
7. Flagella: Prokaryotes have simple flagella for movement, while eukaryotes have more complex flagella or cilia for movement.

These are just a few of the differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Overall, eukaryotes are more complex and evolved from prokaryotes through a process called endosymbiosis

All cells are either prokaryotic (bacterial cells) or eukaryotic (animal and plant cells). These have many similarities and differences between them which are important to be aware of.

The main difference between the cells is that eukaryotic cells have membrane-enclosed organelles- this includes having a nucleus, whereas prokaryotic cells have their DNA and other sub-cellular structures floating freely in the cytoplasm. Other differences include the cells' size (prokaryotic cells are much smaller), the way in which their cells divide (eukaryotic cells undergo mitosis whereas prokaryotic cells go through binary fission), and the presence of organelles (eukaryotic cells are complex and contain additional structures such as mitochondria).

Eukaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus, which contains their genetic material (DNA), whereas Prokaryotic cells’ DNA is free-floating in their cytoplasm. Eukaryotic cells are also a lot bigger than prokaryotic cells, and divide by mitosis, whereas Prokaryotic cells divide by Binary Fission.

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus whereas Prokaryotic cells don't have one.

Eukaryotic cells have membrane bound organelles whereas Prokaryotics don't.

Prokaryotic cells contain plasmid DNA whereas Eukaryotics don't

Eukaryotic cells are cells containing membrane-bound organelles and are the basis for both unicellular and multicellular organisms. In contrast, prokaryotic cells do not have any membrane-bound organelles and are always part of unicellular organisms.

prokaryotic cells:

- no nucleus

- has cell wall

- has flagella

- has plasmids

the opposite is true for eukaryotic cells

At GCSE, it is enough to outline that the main difference is that a prokaryotic cell does not have a nucleus while a eukaryotic cell does. At A level, you may want to consider adding the following to your answer:

-eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles while prokaryotic cells do not

-eukaryotic cells have linear dna attached to histone proteins (within the nucelus), prokaryotic cells have free-floating circular DNA and plasmids

-eukaryotic cells have 80s ribosomes but prokaryotic cells have 70s ribosomes

-eukaryotic cells have mitochondria while prokaryotic cells do not

-eukaryotic cells may either be unicellular or belong to a larger multi-cellular organism. Prokaryotic cells are unicellular only

-prokaryotic cells might have the following extra additions which eukaryotic cells do not: flagellum, cell wall (peptidoglycan), pili, capsule

-eukaryotic cells have nucleus whereas prokaryotic cells do not, instead they have a long free floating chromosome in their nucleoid.

-This means that prokaryotic cells will contribute to the making of much more simple and unicellular organisms such as bacteria, whereas eukaryorytic organisms have many more genes that can code to make larger and self sustaining multicellular organinsm like us.

-Because of this increased coding demand eukaryotic cells have larger ribosomes than prokaryotic cells.

-Prokaryotic cells do have ribosomes to code for their own proteins however unlike eukaryotice cells these genes aren't traslated at the rough endo-plasmic recticulum, like how they are in eukaryotic cells.

-this is because prokaryotic cells have no membrane bound organnelles (i.e. the rough endoplasmic recticulum) which is another major difference between them and eukaryotic cells.