differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

Prokaryotic cell have no nucleus but Eukaryotic cells have nucleus.

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, prokaryotic cells do not.

Eukaryotic examples are animal and plant cells

Prokaryotic example would be bacterial cell

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.

Prokaryotic cells are smaller and simpler, lacking a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, with their DNA floating freely in a loop. Eukaryotic cells are larger and more complex, containing a nucleus that holds their organized DNA and various organelles like mitochondria. Prokaryotes reproduce by binary fission, while eukaryotes use mitosis or meiosis. Prokaryotes are found in bacteria and archaea, while eukaryotes make up plants, animals, fungi, and protists.

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are the two main types of cells that make up living organisms, and they have some key differences:

1. Nucleus:

• Prokaryotic cells: Lack a defined nucleus. The genetic material (DNA) is found in the nucleoid region, which is not membrane-bound.
• Eukaryotic cells: Have a true, membrane-bound nucleus that contains their genetic material (DNA).

1. Size:

• Prokaryotic cells: Generally smaller, typically between 0.1 to 5 micrometers in size.
• Eukaryotic cells: Larger, usually between 10 to 100 micrometers.

1. Organelles:

• Prokaryotic cells: Do not have membrane-bound organelles like the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, or Golgi apparatus.
• Eukaryotic cells: Have various membrane-bound organelles, such as the mitochondria, chloroplasts (in plants), the endoplasmic reticulum, and the Golgi apparatus, which compartmentalize functions.

1. Genetic Material:

• Prokaryotic cells: DNA is typically circular and not associated with histone proteins.
• Eukaryotic cells: DNA is linear and wrapped around histone proteins, forming chromosomes.

1. Cell Division:

• Prokaryotic cells: Divide by binary fission, a simpler process where the cell splits into two identical cells.
• Eukaryotic cells: Divide by mitosis (for growth and repair) or meiosis (for reproduction), both of which are more complex processes.

1. Ribosomes:

• Prokaryotic cells: Have smaller ribosomes (70S) that are different in structure from eukaryotic ribosomes.
• Eukaryotic cells: Have larger ribosomes (80S) in the cytoplasm, though the ribosomes in mitochondria and chloroplasts are 70S, resembling those of prokaryotes.

1. Cell Wall:

• Prokaryotic cells: Most have a cell wall made of peptidoglycan (in bacteria) or pseudopeptidoglycan (in archaea).
• Eukaryotic cells: Some (like plants and fungi) have a cell wall, but it is made of cellulose (in plants) or chitin (in fungi). Animal cells do not have a cell wall.

1. Flagella:

• Prokaryotic cells: Flagella (if present) are made of a protein called flagellin and are structurally different from those in eukaryotic cells.
• Eukaryotic cells: Flagella (if present) are made of microtubules arranged in a "9+2" configuration and are structurally more complex.

1. Examples:

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

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).

Prokaryotic do not have a nucleus or membrane bound organelles like mitochondria

Eukaryotic do have a nucleus and membrane bound organelles like mitochondria

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.

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are the two primary types of cells, differing fundamentally in their structure and complexity. Here are the key differences between them:

1. Nucleus:

• Prokaryotic cells lack a true nucleus. Their genetic material is not enclosed within a nuclear membrane; instead, it is located in a region called the nucleoid.
• Eukaryotic cells have a well-defined nucleus, where the cell’s DNA is enclosed within a nuclear envelope.

1. Cell Size:

• Prokaryotic cells are generally smaller, typically between 0.1 to 5 micrometers in diameter.
• Eukaryotic cells are larger, usually between 10 to 100 micrometers in diameter.

1. Cell Complexity:

• Prokaryotic cells are simpler in structure, with fewer types of organelles.
• Eukaryotic cells are more complex, containing a variety of organelles such as mitochondria, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the Golgi apparatus.

1. Cell Wall:

• Many prokaryotes have a rigid cell wall composed of peptidoglycan (in bacteria) or other substances.
• Eukaryotic cells may or may not have a cell wall. If present, the cell wall is usually made of cellulose (in plants) or chitin (in fungi).

1. Ribosomes:

• Prokaryotic cells contain 70S ribosomes, which are smaller.
• Eukaryotic cells contain 80S ribosomes, which are larger.

1. DNA Structure:

• Prokaryotic DNA is typically circular and not associated with histone proteins.
• Eukaryotic DNA is linear and closely associated with histones to form chromatin and chromosomes.

1. Reproduction:

• Prokaryotes reproduce asexually through processes such as binary fission.
• Eukaryotes can reproduce both sexually and asexually, with mechanisms including mitosis and meiosis.

1. Organelles:

• Prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles.
• Eukaryotic cells have multiple membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria, chloroplasts (in plants), the endoplasmic reticulum, and the Golgi apparatus.

1. Cytoplasmic Division:

• Prokaryotic cells often divide by binary fission, where the cell simply splits into two.
• Eukaryotic cells divide by mitosis or meiosis, involving complex processes of chromosomal alignment and separation.

1. Genetic Recombination:

• Prokaryotic genetic recombination occurs through processes such as transformation, transduction, and conjugation.
• Eukaryotic genetic recombination primarily occurs during meiosis.

These differences reflect the evolutionary distance between prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, with eukaryotic cells representing a more complex and compartmentalized cellular organization.

Hi Elizabeth!

The main difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes is how they store their DNA. Whilst eukaryotes contain this within a nucleus, prokaryotes contain a free-floating loop of DNA with plasmids. Prokaryotes are also usually single-celled (bacteria etc.), whilst eukaryotes make up multicellular organisms.

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)

Eukaryotic - a nucleus

Prokaryotic - a free-floating strand of DNA

Eukaryotic - large ribosomes

Prokaryotic - smaller ribosomes

Prokaryotic - no mitochondria

Eukaryotic - mitochondria