Difference Between Prokaryotic cells and Eukaryotic Cells

To gain a stronghold in biology, students must understand the difference between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells. Furthermore, all the living organisms belong to one of the cell groups- prokaryotes vs eukaryotes. Moreover, cellular structure is the main factor in determining which group an organism belongs to.

Definition of Prokaryotic Cells

One way of certainly ascertaining the difference between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells is because of their definitions. Prokaryotic cells are defined as those that do not possess a true nucleus or membrane-bound organelles. Furthermore, organisms within the domains of Archaea and Bacteria involve prokaryotic cells.

Definitions of Eukaryotic Cells

Eukaryotic cells refer to those cells that contain a nucleus and organelles, and their enclosing is due to a plasma membrane. Furthermore, organisms that have eukaryotic cells include fungi, animals, plants, and protozoa. Also, the grouping of these organisms takes place into the biological domain Eukaryota.

Difference between Prokaryotic Cells and Eukaryotic Cells

Important difference between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells

Parameter	Prokaryotic Cells	Eukaryotic Cells
Membrane-bound organelles	Absent	Present
Nucleus	There is the absence of a well-defined nucleus. Furthermore, there is the presence of nucleoid here which is an open region that contains DNA	There is certainly the presence of well-defined nucleus here. Furthermore, a nuclear membrane encloses it
Cell size	The cell size is smaller(0.1-5 μm)	The cell size is larger(10-100 μm) in contrast
Cell structure	Unicellular structure	Most eukaryotic cells are multicellular. However, some are unicellular
DNA Form	They have a circular DNA form	They have a linear DNA form
Complexity	Simpler	More complex in comparison to prokaryotic cells
Cell wall	The cell wall is present here. Furthermore, it comprises of mucopeptide or peptidoglycan	Usually, there is an absence of cell wall here. However, in case it is present, it comprises cellulose
Mitochondria	Absent	Present
Ribosome	70S	80S
Shape of DNA	Double-stranded circular DNA	Double-stranded Linear DNA
Golgi Apparatus	Absent	Present
Mode of Reproduction	Asexual	Sexual reproduction is certainly the most common here
Endoplasmic Reticulum	Absent	Present
Peroxisomes and Lysosomes	Absent	Present
Cell Division	Binary fission, transduction, conjugation, and transformation	Mitosis
Translation and Transcription	It occurs together	Translation happens in the cytosol. Moreover, transcription happens in the nucleus
Number of chromosomes	Only one	More than one
Replication	These cells have a single origin of replication	These cells have multiple origins of replication
Organelles	The organelles in prokaryotic cells are not membrane-bound	The organelles in eukaryotic cells are certainly specific in function. Most noteworthy, they are membrane-bound
Examples	Archea and bacteria	Fungi, protists, animals, and plants

More Details About Prokaryotic Cells

Going into the details of prokaryotic cells will bring out the difference between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells in a better way. Furthermore, organisms possessing prokaryotic cells are unicellular in nature.  Moreover, a significant difference between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells is that the latter are more complex.

Furthermore,  a prokaryotic cell contains only a single membrane and it surrounds the cell as an outer membrane. In contrast, eukaryotic cells have a nuclear membrane that surrounds a nucleus.

More Details About Eukaryotic Cells

Eukaryotic cells contain a variety of structures that are known as organelles. Furthermore, organelles perform multiple functions within the cell. Moreover, examples of organelles are ribosomes, the endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria.

Eukaryotic cells have a true nucleus and this is surrounded by a nucleus envelope. Moreover, it has the genetic material DNA. Furthermore, all of the organelles receive physical support and stabilization through the cytoskeleton, which also facilitates sending of signals from one cell part to another.

In eukaryotic cells, the cytoskeleton comprises mainly of three types of filaments: microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Furthermore, cytosol is a gel-like substance that envelopes every organelle in the cell.

FAQs About Prokaryotic Cells and Eukaryotic Cells

Question 1: Explain about the main difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

Answer 1: The main difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes is with regards to a membrane-bound nucleus. Most noteworthy, eukaryotes have a membrane-bound nucleus while the prokaryotes are without it.

Question 2: What is the DNA form in prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells?

Answer 2: The DNA form of prokaryotic cells is of a circular form. In contrast, the DNA form pf eukaryotic cells is of a linear form. This is also a difference between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells.