differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

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.

Prokaryotic cells are simpler cells found in organisms like bacteria. They don't have a nucleus or any membrane-bound structures inside. Instead, their genetic material floats freely in the cytoplasm. Eukaryotic cells, found in plants, animals, and other organisms, are more complex. They have a nucleus surrounded by a membrane and various membrane-bound structures called organelles, like mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum. Eukaryotic cells are usually larger and more specialised than prokaryotic cells.

There are several differences betwee the eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cells as follows:

1. Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria, nucleus etc. while prokaryotic cell do not have any membrane-bound organelles which means there is no nuclear envelop so no nucleus and no mitochondria etc.
2. Eukaryotic cells may be unicellular or multicellular, for example amoeba which is single-cell organism and mammals including humans which are all multicellular organisms. Prokaryotic cells, on the other hand, are always unicellular, like bacteria.
3. Eukaryotic cells are usually much larger than the prokaryotic cells.
4. Eukaryotic cells have DNA in the form of chromosomes inside the nucleus which contain histone proteins, however, prokaryotic cells have DNA in circular form present in the cytoplasm and it lacks histones as well, and additionally they also have many circular fragments of DNA called plasmids.
5. Eukaryotic DNA has plenty of non-coding DNA but prokaryotic DNA does not have such junk DNA.
6. The ribosomes in eukaryotic cells are large i.e. 80S (composed of 40S and 60S subunits) but in prokaryotic cells ribosomes are smaller i.e. 70S (composed of 30S and 50S subunits).

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.

Eukaryotic cells are cells like animal or plant cells.

prokaryotic cells are cells like bacteria.

The key difference between the two is that Eukaryotic cells contain membrane bound organelles whereas prokaryotic cells do not. They also have variable (different) organelles, for example eukaryotic cells have a nucleus whereas prokaryotic cells do not!

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, eg animal/plant/fungi cells. Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus eg bacteria. Their genetic information lies in the cytoplasm rather than in a nucleus.

Differences Between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells:

1. Size and Structure:

• Prokaryotic Cells are smaller (0.1–5.0 micrometres) and simpler in structure.
• Eukaryotic Cells are larger (10–100 micrometres) and more complex.

1. Nucleus:

• Prokaryotic Cells do not have a nucleus. Their DNA is free in the cell in a region called the nucleoid.
• Eukaryotic Cells have a nucleus that contains their DNA.

1. Organelles:

• Prokaryotic Cells do not have membrane-bound organelles, like mitochondria or the endoplasmic reticulum.
• Eukaryotic Cells have membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum.

1. DNA:

• Prokaryotic Cells have a single, circular DNA molecule.
• Eukaryotic Cells have multiple, linear chromosomes inside the nucleus.

1. Cell Wall:

• Prokaryotic Cells usually have a cell wall made of peptidoglycan (in bacteria).
• Eukaryotic Cells may have a cell wall (e.g., in plant cells) made of cellulose; animal cells do not have a cell wall.

1. Reproduction:

• Prokaryotic Cells reproduce by binary fission.
• Eukaryotic Cells reproduce by mitosis (asexual reproduction) and meiosis (sexual reproduction).

1. Examples:

• Prokaryotic Cells: Bacteria and archaea.
• Eukaryotic Cells: Animals, plants, fungi, and protists.

Prokaryotic cells are bascially bacteria. They are characterised by, among other things, the lack of a nucleus containing genetic material - instead the genetic material is distributed freely in the cell. Eukaryotic cells have the genetic material confined to a nucleus which is clearly visible under the microscope...

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 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 lack a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Examples are bacteria and archaea. In contrast, eukaryotic cells are more complex with membrane-bound nucleus and organelles. In contrast, eukaryotic cells are more complex and contain membrane-bound nucleus and organelles. Examples are plant and animal cells.

Eukaryotic - true nucleus (all cells with a nucleus such as plant and animal cells)

Prokaryotic - without a nucleus (all cells without a nucleus, e.g all bacterial cells)

In simplistic terms, Prokaryotes are much simpler and are usually single cells. Prokaryotes include bacteria. They do not contain organelles that have a membrane around them, such as a nucleus and mitochondria. Eukaryotic cells on the other hand are more complex and include plant and animal cells.