differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

Nucleus: Prokaryotic cells have no true nucleus, the DNA floats freely in the cytoplasm in a region called the nucleoid. Whereas Eukaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus that separates the genetic material (DNA) from the cytoplasm.

Organelles: Prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles. Whereas Eukaryotic cells have many membrane-bound organelles that perform specific functions, like mitochondria (energy production), endoplasmic reticulum (protein synthesis and transport), Golgi apparatus (packaging and secretion), and lysosomes (waste disposal).

Size: Prokaryotic cells are generally much smaller and simpler than eukaryotic cells.

Other Differences:

DNA Structure: Prokaryotic DNA is usually circular, while eukaryotic DNA is linear.

Organisms: Prokaryotes are unicellular (single-celled) organisms like bacteria and archaea. Eukaryotes can be unicellular (amoeba) or multicellular (plants, animals, fungi).

Examples of Eukaryotic cells are Animal cells and Plant cells. An example of Prokaryotic cells are Bacterial cells.

• Eukaryotic cells contain their genetic material- DNA, enclosed in a nucleus. Whereas in Prokaryotic cells, the genetic material- DNA, is not enclosed in a nucleus.
• In Prokaryotic cells genetic material is found in a single loop of DNA and small rings of DNA known as Plasmids.
• Prokaryotic cells have a singular chromosome located in the Nucleoid, whereas Eukaryotic cells have multiple linear chromosomes located in the Nucleus.
• Prokaryotic cells measure around 1- 10 μm, whilst Eukaryotic cells are 5 - 100μm, therefore Prokaryotic cells are significantly smaller than Eukaryotic cells.
• In Prokaryotic cells membrane bound organelles are absent whilst they are present in Eukaryotic cells. Examples include; Mitochondria, Golgi Apparatus & Endoplasmic Reticulum.

Eukaryotes are plants and animals whereas,Prokayotes are bacteria and fungi

Hi Elizabeth,

for GCSE Biology, you need to know that a eukaryotic cell has membrane-bound organelles, which are the nucleus, the mitochondria and (in cells that photosynthesise) the chloroplasts. Prokaryotic cells do not have any membrane- bound organelles. A major difference you should focus on is that eukaryotic cells have a nucleus whereas prokaryotic cells don’t. This is important as it means that prokaryotic cells need to store their DNA in a different way. Most of their DNA is stored in a circular chromosome that floats in the cytoplasm. They also have plasmids which store extra DNA.

For your exams, you are often asked to fill in a comparison table of the organelles found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. You may be asked more specifically about different types of eukaryotic cells: plants, animals and fungi. Make sure you know the different features of each and can give an example e.g yeast is an example of a single called fungus.

prokaryotic cells have primitive nucleus while eukaryotic cells have well developed nucleus.

Prokaryotic cells do not contain a nucleus.

When comparing prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, think about them as two different kinds of living quarters with some fundamental differences in how they're organised.

1. Size and Complexity:

• Prokaryotic cells are like a simple studio apartment. They are small and have just the basics you need to live. These are the types of cells that bacteria have.
• Eukaryotic cells are more like a large house with several rooms, each serving a specific purpose. These cells are bigger and much more complex. Humans, plants, fungi, and animals all have eukaryotic cells.

1. Nucleus:

• Prokaryotic cells don’t have a nucleus. Their DNA, which is like the instruction manual for building and maintaining the cell, is just floating around in the middle of the cell, usually in a single, circular strand.
• Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, which acts like a special room where the DNA is kept safe and organised. This nucleus is surrounded by a membrane, keeping the DNA separated from other cell parts.

1. Organelles:

• Prokaryotic cells are pretty basic and don't have many distinct structures called organelles. They do their business directly in the cell fluid.
• Eukaryotic cells have lots of different organelles, like mitochondria (power plants), lysosomes (recycling centres), and Golgi apparatus (shipping centres), each enclosed by membranes and specialised for different cell functions.

1. Cell Division:

• Prokaryotic cells reproduce by a simple process called binary fission, where the cell just splits into two after duplicating its DNA.
• Eukaryotic cells usually use a process called mitosis for cell division, which is more complicated but ensures that each new cell gets exactly the right amount of DNA.

1. Complexity of Tasks:

• Prokaryotic cells are generally single-celled organisms, meaning each cell operates independently.
• Eukaryotic cells often work together forming multicellular organisms, like us! This teamwork allows for specialised cells that perform specific functions, making more complex life forms possible.

So, in a nutshell, prokaryotic cells are like simple, one-room homes with minimal furnishings, while eukaryotic cells are like big houses with special rooms for specific tasks, making them suitable for more complex and large organisms!

Following are the some of the differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells.

1. Nucleus: Prokaryotic cells lack a distinct nucleus, while eukaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus that houses their genetic material (DNA).

2. Size and Complexity: Prokaryotic cells are generally smaller and simpler in structure compared to eukaryotic cells, which are typically larger and more complex.

3. Genetic Material: In prokaryotic cells, the genetic material is usually a single circular DNA molecule located in the cytoplasm, whereas eukaryotic cells have multiple linear DNA molecules enclosed within the nucleus.

4. Membrane-bound Organelles: Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes, which perform specific functions. Prokaryotic cells lack these membrane-bound organelles.

5. Cell Division: Prokaryotic cells reproduce through binary fission, a process where the cell divides into two identical daughter cells. Eukaryotic cells undergo mitosis or meiosis, which involves complex stages of nuclear division and cytoplasmic division.

6. Ribosomes: Both types of cells have ribosomes, but in prokaryotic cells, ribosomes are smaller and free-floating in the cytoplasm, while in eukaryotic cells, they are larger and can be found both free-floating and attached to the endoplasmic reticulum.

7. Cell Wall: Many prokaryotic cells have a cell wall outside the plasma membrane, providing structural support and protection. Some eukaryotic cells, such as plant cells and fungi, also have a cell wall, but it is chemically different from that of prokaryotes.

The primary difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is that a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles are only present in eukaryotic cells. 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.

Hi Elizabeth, please find my answer below which will help your understanding of the difference:

The key difference is that prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus whereas eukaryotic cells do have a nucleus. An example of a prokaryotic cell is a bacterial cell. An example of a eukaryotic cell would an animal or plant cell, as these both have nuclei!