Differences between Eukaryotic Cell and Prokaryotic Cell
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Eukaryotic Cell vs. Prokaryotic Cell[edit]
All life is composed of cells, which are categorized into two primary types: prokaryotic and eukaryotic. Organisms with prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria and archaea, are known as prokaryotes.[1][2] Organisms with eukaryotic cells, including plants, animals, fungi, and protists, are called eukaryotes.[1][3] The fundamental difference between these two cell types is the presence of a membrane-bound nucleus and other specialized compartments called organelles in eukaryotes, which are absent in prokaryotes.[4][5]
While both cell types share some core components necessary for life, such as a plasma membrane, cytoplasm, ribosomes, and DNA, their complexity and organization differ significantly.[1] Eukaryotic cells are generally larger and more structurally complex, with various organelles that perform specific functions, leading to greater compartmentalization and efficiency.[5]
Comparison Table[edit]
| Feature | Prokaryotic Cell | Eukaryotic Cell |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Organisms | Bacteria, Archaea[1] | Protists, Fungi, Plants, Animals[1] |
| Size | Generally smaller (0.1–5.0 µm) | [1] Generally larger (10–100 µm) |
| [1]Nucleus | Absent; genetic material is in a nucleoid region | Present;[4] enclosed by a nuclear membrane |
| [4]DNA Structure | Single, circular chromosome (typically) | Multiple, linear chromosomes with histones |
| [5]Membrane-Bound Organelles | Absent | Present[1] (e.g., mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus) |
| Ribosomes | Smaller (70S) | Larger[5] (80S) |
| [5]Cell Wall | Chemically complex (e.g., peptidoglycan in bacteria) | Chemically[1] simple when present (e.g., cellulose in plants, chitin in fungi) |
| Cell Division | Binary fission | Mitosis[5] and meiosis |
[5]== Cellular organization ==[edit]
The cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell is highly organized, containing a variety of membrane-bound organelles that are absent in prokaryotes. These[5] organelles, such as mitochondria for energy production and the endoplasmic reticulum for protein and lipid synthesis, allow for various processes to occur simultaneously in different compartments. Prokaryotic[3] cells lack this internal membrane system, and their cellular processes, like metabolism and energy production, occur within the cytoplasm or across the plasma membrane. Eukaryotic cells also possess a complex cytoskeleton, which provides structural support and facilitates intracellular transport, features that are simpler in prokaryotes.
Genetic material[edit]
The genetic material, DNA, is organized differently in the two cell types. In eukaryotic cells, the DNA is linear and tightly packaged with proteins called histones to form multiple chromosomes, which are housed within the nucleus. In contrast,[5] the DNA of a prokaryotic cell is typically a single circular chromosome that is located in a region of the cytoplasm called the nucleoid. This nucleoid is not separated from the rest of the cytoplasm by a membrane. Many prokaryotes[5] also contain small, independent circular DNA molecules called plasmids, which can carry a few non-essential genes.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "opentextbc.ca". Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ↑ "britannica.com". Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "wikipedia.org". Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "technologynetworks.com". Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 "news-medical.net". Retrieved November 22, 2025.
