Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells: Cells are the building blocks of life i.e. all living organisms are made up of cells. Do you know about the internal structure of a cell? How many types of cells are found in an organism? Let's have a look!
Difference between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells: In 1665, Robert Hook discovered a cell. Some cells have membrane-bound organelles and some do not. Depending upon the internal structure of the cell, two types of cells are found in an organism namely Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic. What is the difference between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells?
Cells are also known as 'a small room'. It is the functional and structural unit of life. It is a small united area where all kinds of actions and reactions collectively take place.
Organisms that are made up of single cells are known as single-celled organisms or unicellular and many cells are known as multi-cellular organisms. In 1665, the cell was first discovered by Robert Hook.
When scientists studied cells of various living organisms from an electron microscope, it was found that many organisms have no distinct nucleus surrounded by a cell membrane.
Thus, two types of cells are found in the organisms: eukaryotic and prokaryotic depending on whether cells contain membrane-bound organelles or not. Their genetic materials are enclosed by a nuclear envelope or not. Let us study through this article the difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
READ| List of 20 Important Topics in Biology for Preparation of Competitive Exams
What are Prokaryotes?
According to the morphological point of view, prokaryotic cells are the most primitive cells. They do not have a definite nucleus which includes bacteria and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). The chromatin bodies remain scattered inside the cytoplasm. In prokaryotes, asexual division occurs basically binary fission. Prokaryotes are smaller than eukaryotes. Do you know that the nucleus which does not have a nuclear membrane is known as a nucleoid?
READ| What is the difference between Animal and Plant Cells?
What are Eukaryotes?
It is believed that eukaryotes have evolved from the prokaryotes. They have been characterised by their membrane nucleus. They contain organelles like mitochondria bounded by membranes and are located in the cytoplasm. They have a definite nucleus. The chromatin bodies are enclosed by a nuclear membrane. Both asexual and sexual division occurs in eukaryotes. They are larger than prokaryotes and show better structural organisation and increased functional efficiency than prokaryotes.
Now let us study the difference between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
Prokaryotic Cell
Eukaryotic cell
Size is 0.1- 5.0 um
Size is 5-100 um
Nucleus is absent
Nucleus is present
Membrane-bound nucleus absent.
Membrane-bound Nucleus is present.
One chromosome is present, but not true chromosome plastids
More than one number of chromosomes is present.
Unicellular
Multicellular
Lysosomes and Peroxisomes absent
Lysosomes and Peroxisomes present
Microtubules absent
Microtubules present
Endoplasmic reticulum absent
Endoplasmic reticulum present
Mitochondria absent
Mitochondria present
Cytoskeleton absent
Cytoskeleton present
Ribosomes smaller
Ribosomes larger
Vesicles present
Vesicles present
Golgi apparatus absent
Golgi apparatus present
Chloroplasts absent; chlorophyll scattered in the cytoplasm
Chloroplasts present in plants
Submicroscopic in size Flagella is present and made up of only one fiber
Microscopic in size, membrane-bound
Cell wall chemically complexed
Cell wall is present in plants and fungi and chemically simpler
Vacuoles absent
Vacuoles present
Permeability of Nuclear membrane is not present
Permeability of Nuclear membrane is selective
Sexual reproduction is absent
Sexual reproduction is present
Endocytosis and exocytosis are absent.
Endocytosis and exocytosis occurred
It may have pili and fimbriae.
Pili and fimbriae are absent
Transcription occurs in the cytoplasm
Transcription occurs inside the nucleus.
Examples: Bacteria and Archaea
Examples: Protists, Fungi, Plants, and Animals
Therefore, we can say that on the basis of genetic materials enclosed by a nuclear envelope, cells are divided into prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Prokaryotes don’t have membrane-bound organelles whereas eukaryotes have.
Also, Read
FAQ
What are the similarities or common features that are shared by prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
Ans: All cells, whether prokaryotic or eukaryotic share these four features namely DNA, Plasma Membrane, Cytoplasm, and Ribosomes.
What is a Eukaryotic cell?
Ans: These cells possess a true nucleus and have membrane-bound organelles. They are either unicellular or multicellular.
What is a Prokaryotic cell?
Ans: It is a primitive cell characterised by the absence of a nucleus. Prokaryotes do not have membrane-bound organelles and are exclusively unicellular.